Hospital Administrator: Tiffany Ayres, CVPM
Adopted: June 1999
Favorite animal: I can’t say, they all have something to teach us.
Number of pets: 1 Very spoiled Boxer Mix, Saybee
Hobbies: – Hiking, biking, reading, gardening, and anything outdoors with my pets.
Hospital administrator Tiffany Ayres came aboard to lead the PVH team in 1999 in the role of office manager. A graduate of Dallastown High School, she holds a degree in health service administration from Slippery Rock University along with a minor in business. Having both a passion for animals and a keen mind for business management, she was able to find the perfect home inside the doors of PVH.
“I’ve always had a heart for animals,” says Tiffany. A horse riding enthusiast from a young age, she went on to work her way through college at an Arabian horse farm owned by a veterinarian. That job proved an effective training ground for her eventual interview with Dr Douglas Schmidt years later.
Tiffany describes Dr Schmidt as “a wonderful boss” who “allows me to lead the team and encourages me to reach new heights”. Each day her main objective is to lead the hospital staff with the collective goal of keeping PVH the successful and progressive practice it has always been. She attends seminars all over the country, participates in market research and analyzes all the current trends in the animal care industry.
“What I find most exciting is just seeing the development and change,” she says. “We’re able to look out for the best interest of the pets, and fill the needs of our clients. The developments and changes allow us to do what is best for the pet industry as a whole.”
Looking back over recent years, Tiffany is pleased to note the addition of many new services which were not available in the past. PVH has added laser therapy, an ultrasound machine, feline friendly appointments, and now reaches out to its clients through an interactive website, email and texting. The progression has helped the hospital grow within the veterinary industry, and Tiffany is quick to thank her staff members for making this growth possible.
“The staff is my pride,” she says. “You give them the goals and they run with them. We have such a high caliber of people working here. It’s wonderful to watch them grow and succeed, and know that you helped coach them.”
Tiffany maintains a high level of involvement within the veterinary industry on both local and national levels. She is seated on the board of York Technical Institute and works as an advisor of their veterinary technician program. In 2010 she earned the title of Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) through the Veterinary Hospital Management Association, where she remains a member. She also works as a veterinary management consultant for the drug company Zoetis, assisting with the interviewing and training of area veterinary practice managers, and also advising hospital owners on work flow management.
When not at work, Tiffany indulges in her great love of the outdoors. A lifelong nature enthusiast, she has hiked, biked, and kayaked her way through a number of US states. She has gone caving and rock climbing in Colorado, hiked into a sheer canyon in Utah, sailed a kayak around Chincoteague and down the Potomac, and enjoys an annual excursion to the famous Finger Lakes of New York state.
Closer to home, she frequently visits the Appalachian Trail, hiking and snapping beautiful photos which she uses to decorate her home. The Pennsylvania portion of the trail stretches a total of 229 miles. Tiffany plans to complete this entire stretch with her boxer mix by her side. Her latest adventure is learning the art of beekeeping. We all patiently await her honey production.