Pets of VUMC

August 28, 2023

Pets of VUMC 2023 — Collection #2: Pets and their people, part 2

Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant

Heather De Luca

Heather De Luca, Pediatric Outreach Medicine, Cookeville. “This is me with my 10-year-old terrier mix Sammy hiking in Cinque Terra, Italy.”

This is the second installment of photographs submitted by VUMC employees to the 2023 VUMC Voice Pet Photo Contest. Hundreds of pictures were submitted for the contest, and while we won’t be able to use all, or even most, of the pictures we received, we hope to showcase a good sample of the best of the beasts.

Remember, the top prize offered in the contest is a photo of your pet in VUMC Voice.

If you missed sending in an entry this year, and your pet is peeved about it, please reassure him or her that there will be a future VUMC Voice Pet Photo Contest, but explain that the deadline for entries for this year has passed, and no more pictures will be accepted. We hope your pet understands.

Watch for the next installment of VUMC Voice‘s Pets of VUMC 2023 — coming soon.

And check out part one of Pets and their People here.

Michael Marquis, Physical Therapy, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. “Milo was rescued from the Nashville Humane Association as a puppy. He is a mixture of many breeds, but he is mostly German shepherd, Australian shepherd, and basset hound. Milo loves to go on hikes and to be carried.”
Daniel Chandler, Clinical Research, with Kodi.

Lauren Collins, Case Management, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital. “Finn is a Labradoodle who is best friends with my daughter Lexi. You never see one without the other. Their favorite thing to do together is play in the sprinkler.”
Jeremy Huston, One Hundred Oaks Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Clinic. “This is me and Cleo, our 14-week-old pit bull mix that our next door neighbor found with her sister in a ditch.”

Irlyn Hankins, Pharmacy Billing/Medicare. Jameson and Sashito.

Deidre Wright, Health IT Patient Engagement Support Team. “This is Charlie, a 150-lb. European Great Dane, and my niece Bristol. “We rescued Charlie as a family. I am his favorite person, and he follows me around wherever I go. His greatest wish is to be small enough to always be in my lap. I keep Magic Erasers in business cleaning all the slobber off the walls in my house.”

Nancy Wickersham, Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine. “Alison and Luna loving their hike in Chattanooga.”

Angela Mullen, FEL OR, with Maverick.
Laura Gerleve, VUH Transfer Center. “I have always called this photo ‘Rex goes to college.’ Rex was my son Josh’s dog. We rescued him in 2015 from the Sumner County Animal Shelter after he had been surrendered by his family because the wife was pregnant. He was so sad when we adopted him. He fit right in with our family and attached himself to my son. In 2018 my son left for the University of Tennessee and lived in the dorm for a year so Rex could not go with him. But in 2019, Josh got an apartment and Rex got to make visits for a week at a time. This photo was taken as they were leaving for one of his weekly visits. You can see the excitement in his eyes that he was getting to go with ‘his boy.’ He loved Josh so much. Josh graduated in 2022 and Rex and Josh moved to Utah. Rex passed away suddenly in March of 2023 at the age of 8. Rex was a precious soul and my son is devastated. I wanted to share this wonderful picture to show dogs have so much love for their people and this photo embodies that love.”

Abby Meek, Occupational Therapist, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, with Stella and Birdie.

Julie Britain, Liver and Kidney Transplant. “Dolly on the South Harpeth River.”
Jessica Crago, Anesthesia and Specialty Billing/Revenue Cycle Services, Finance. “Corkie is 16 years old and I have had him for 15 years; he has been with me since I started high school. He is a rescue so the only thing that we know about his breed is that he is a terrier mix.”

Judy Ludwig, Cardiac Access Office. “Teddi is 5-month-old Pomeranian puppy. She is mischievous, and a diva with attitude. She loves to play fetch but will not let go of ball without tug of war first. She loves my great grandson Maddox.”
Jerri Malloy, General Surgery Clinic. “Soldier Boy has been my best buddy for nearly 25 years. As soon I pull down the driveway, Soldier races to the barn neighing. I am unsure if he realizes he is a giant red Quarter Horse instead of a small spaniel, as Soldier would sit in my lap if he could. My time with Soldier Boy always brings me a sense of peace. I feel blessed to have Soldier; he is my rock and has been there for me through life’s ups and downs.”
Morgan Crum, Children’s Float Pool. “Nola, Maverick, and Ryan Crum tailgating. Nola is a 4-year-old Australian shepherd who loves to howl with a harmonica, eat squirrels, and go for rides. She also doesn’t like to be patted on the head like every other dog. She prefers to stand between your legs for a butt scratch. Maverick is a 3-year-old backyard chicken who only likes my husband, Ryan Crum. Ryan is an civilian airline pilot, military helicopter pilot, mechanic, tractor connoisseur, husband, and father.”
Courtney L. Kessler, Patient Care Services, Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute at Maury Regional Medical Center. “Greta with my husband Kurt Kessler and our daughter Aubree Kessler.”

Shauna Conley, Vanderbilt Primary Care Pleasant View. “This is my mini horse Thunder. He is around 10 years old. Thunder belonged to a special friend of mine named Noah Potter who passed away in 2013 from neuroblastoma at the age of 6. Thunder got his name from Noah because he thought it was so funny when Thunder would run onto their porch during a storm. I knew how much Noah loved Thunder so when his parents decided they needed to sell him, I immediately contacted them and bought him. Thunder may be mini but he has the biggest personality — just like Noah!”
Sean Dorris, Finance. “Chubby the bulldog with our daughter Lennon. Chubby loves treats, playing with his sister, and eating scraps from her high chair.”

Emily Davis, Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. “Bella, age 11, is a cairn terrier. She loves to cuddle and to chase her tennis ball. Her best friend is anyone who might be eating (especially eating apples). She likes to go to bed early and is known for pawing at the legs of anyone who is staying up past their bedtime. She is the greatest gift!”
Theresa Tucker, Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute Device Clinic, Franklin. “My daughter Cate and my sweet grand dog Archie, a 3-year-old Doberman and a certified emotional support animal. He is the sweetest boy ever.”
Suzanne Drooger, Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Lebanon. “Dog Brooklynn with my grandson, Owen.”