Meet the Team at Mellina Animal Hospital

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
After attending Texas Christian University for my undergraduate degree, I returned to my home state to attend veterinary school at Kansas State University and graduated in 2007. After living and practicing in New York, my husband and I found our way back to Fort Worth. I have been working part-time at Mellina Animal Hospital since 2018.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I love being a veterinarian, and I strive to be an advocate for my patients while also effectively communicating with pet owners.

3. What do you do in your free time?
Right now, most of my free time is spent chasing my three small children. We also love Texas Christian University sporting events, enjoying time at the lake, and spending time with extended family.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

5. What animal would you be and why?
A Labrador retriever; usually happy, likes to be around people, and loves to eat!

Dr. Gianna Plaksa received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Business Administration. She grew up doing gymnastics and was a division 1 gymnast at Central Michigan.

Dr. Plaksa grew up in Mountain Top, which is in northeast Pennsylvania. She traveled all around the country for gymnastics and has competed in the Fort Worth Convention center! She is excited to explore more of the Fort Worth/Dallas area. She has a dog named Odin and new kitten named Grimm. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and exploring local restaurants with her husband, Danny.

Dr. Plaksa practiced for one year at a general practice in Georgia prior to moving to Texas. She has special interests in preventative care, ophthalmology, and internal medicine. Additionally, her goals are to become certified in acupuncture and rehab medicine for companion animals.

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
I have spent 10 years at Mellina Animal Hospital and 16 years in the veterinary profession overall.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I pride myself on the compassion I give to my patients and their families.

3. What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I garden/work in the yard with my son helping. I also enjoy hiking, running, reading, and traveling.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“There is a sunrise and sunset every day, and you can choose to be there for it. You can put yourself in the way of beauty.” 

5. What animal would you be and why?
I would be an elephant – peaceful, strong, and a good leader. They stay in small groups but extremely loyal to those around them.

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
I have been at Mellina Animal Hospital for two years and in the veterinary profession for a little over eight years.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I pride myself on the compassion I have for the patients and their owners.

3. What do you do in your free time?
I like spending time with family, playing video games, and reading.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

5. What animal would you be and why?
I would be a goat – headstrong, motivated, gentle, and quiet.

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
I have worked at Mellina Animal Hospital for about eight years.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I don’t let the hustle and bustle of this line of work get to me. I keep cool under pressure.

3. What do you do in your free time?
I read, draw and tinker with things. When I’m not doing those things, I play video games and board games with friends.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“There is no one as dangerous as he or she who has nothing to lose” – Rebecca Solnit

5. What animal would you be and why?
I would be a turtle. They have a hard shell with soft innards.

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
I have been with MAH for only a couple of months, but I have over 600 volunteer hours at a clinic back in high school.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I pride myself on being eager to learn how to properly take care of the animals, as well as improving on handling them.

3. What do you do in your free time?
Spending time with my niece and nephews.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“It be like that sometimes.”

5. What animal would you be and why?
A piggy because I snort when I laugh.

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
I have been in the veterinary field for 5 years and have been at MAH since 2020. I recently completed my undergraduate studies at LSU, where I majored in animal science. I am currently applying to vet school.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I take pride in the care I show for owner and their pets, as I like to care for all animals as if they were my own.

3. What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy fishing, working out, walking my dogs, and spending time with friends.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“I will always choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong and will never be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won.”

5. What animal would you be and why?
I would be a hippo that lives in the zoo, free food and a pool are two things I would really enjoy.

1. How long have you been at MAH or in the veterinary field?
I have been in the vet field for about 3-4 years. I started as a kennel tech and while completing my bachelor of animal science degree I worked as a tech in Stephenville. I’ve been at MAH for about 2 months now.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of patients?
I take pride in knowing I am helping an animal that can not speak for itself and helping communicate with the owners.

3. What do you do in your free time?
I am usually spending time with my husband and kids, taking a nap with my doggies, or working on some arts and crafts.

4. Favorite quote or saying?
“you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”

5. What animal would you be and why?
I would be a white tiger because they are unique and strong like me

1. How long have you been at Mah or in the veterinary field?
Been in the vet field for about a year, at MAH for 2 months.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of the patients?
When a client receives good news I can help someone during a tough day.

3. What do you do In your free time?
I play my X-box, Bake, and hike in my free time.

4. Favorite quote or saying?
“We can’t live without our planet, but our planet can live without us”

5. What animal would you be and why?
A hawk, So I could fly and see new places that I may not be able to otherwise.

1. How long have you been at Mellina Animal Hospital or in the veterinary profession?
I have been on the staff at Mellina Animal Hospital for a little bit over a year.

2. What do you pride yourself in when it comes to your job and/or taking care of your patients?
I pride myself on the smiles on the pet’s faces as we help them live a long and happy life!

3. What do you do in your free time?
I love to read in my free time.

4. Favorite quotes or sayings?
“Bright and sunny.”

5. What animal would you be and why?
All cats and dogs, their communication is so fun and funny.

Extra: The love of animals is joyous and freeing.