Ben Madilynn
CLARKSVILLE, TN − Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) has hired Christine Puskaric as their new shelter veterinarian.
Puskaric has nearly 20 years of experience in her field and has extensive knowledge in medical and surgical procedures, preventative care, after-hours emergency consultations, fostering, and educating pet owners on general care. Puskaric was the Medical Director/Veterinarian for Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary from 2018 to 2023. In this role, her responsibilities included examining, diagnosing, and treating sanctuary dogs, conducting general surgery, formulating diet plans, acting as a liaison for visiting doctors, training staff in physical therapy modalities, and serving on the foster committee for dog placement. She also developed medical and physical therapy departments and guided in building a full-service veterinary hospital.
Puskaric held various veterinarian roles. Before founding Middle Tennessee Veterinary Center in 2023, she worked in small animal practice for 11 years and then opened her veterinary hospital in 2012. She moved to Tennessee in 2018 to provide affordable, high-quality veterinary care. Her special interests are in geriatric pets.
She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1995, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2001, a Canine Rehabilitation Certification in 2022, and has numerous affiliations.
“We are beyond excited about Dr. Puskaric joining our team! Having such a tremendous talent coming to Montgomery County Animal Care and Control is just an amazing step for our organization. Our agency has grown and made tremendous improvements to keep up with that growth both internally and externally. Adding Dr. Puskaric to our team will further expand our capabilities to not only our animals but our community,” said Director of Animal Care and Control Dave Kaske.
The responsibilities of the shelter veterinarian include providing medical care for animals, overseeing shelter healthcare, maintaining records, perform surgeries, implementing disease prevention programs, providing emergency medical treatment, evaluating, and supporting animals affected by cruelty and neglect, offering health information to adopters, managing medical supplies and inventory, maintaining certifications, and providing guidance to shelter staff.
Puskaric joined the team in September and is gradually transitioning from her current practice to the MCACC facility. Her role is integral to the shelter operations, focusing on bringing veterinary care and spay/neuter services in-house, as well as developing new services and initiatives at the new facility. Puskaric will temporarily operate in the new MCACC mobile coach around November until the shelter relocates to its new facility in the fall of 2025.
“I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the animal care and control team. The new medical department will have an incredible impact on the animals in our care and I am thrilled to be on the ground floor of its development,” said Puskaric.
She currently resides with her husband Steve and their collection of rescued dogs, cats, and horses.
For information about the Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, visit https://mcgtn.org/animal-control.
