The friendly, professional staff at VCA Animal Health Hospital is made up of dedicated individuals who have made it their mission to help pets live long, healthy lives. To be true to the mission, the hospital team relies on several individuals, each equally important in helping us deliver the best patient and client experience for both you and your pet. And if things get complicated, we are fortunate to have access to the nation's largest network of VCA veterinarians and board-certified specialists.
Our History
Dr. Brett Hinsch founded Animal Health Hospital in the fall of 1978 across the parking lot at 2406 South Harrison Road. In 1980, he hired a young veterinary assistant named Susan Verschoore. Susan is still here today working as an accomplished certified veterinary technician. Early in 1983 ground was broken at the current Animal Health Hospital location. The official grand opening was July 4, 1983. Over the years, Dr. Hinsch developed a reputation for providing top-quality veterinary medical and surgical care. Associate veterinarians came and went, with some later continuing their education and becoming veterinary specialists. In 1995, Dr. Hinsch hired Dr. Kipp Metzger as a new graduate from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The hire was instantly successful, with Dr. Metzger being a motivated and dedicated associate and Dr. Hinsch carefully mentoring the new veterinarian.
Fast forward to September 2000 when Dr. Hinsch sold the practice to Dr. Metzger. Animal Health Hospital continued its successful ways with Dr. Metzger honoring the lessons learned from Dr. Hinsch and instituting new medical/surgical and management components into the business. Animal Health Hospital continued the tradition of providing the best veterinary medical and surgical care possible. Over the years we have carefully kept abreast of the top standard of care through continuing education, equipment purchases, and staff training.
In 2007, Dr. Hinsch retired from Animal Health Hospital. Dr. Metzger continues to credit Dr. Hinsch with teaching many of the important lessons that have continued to make Animal Health Hospital a great place to bring dogs and cats and a great place to work.
During the spring of 2011, Dr. Metzger hired Dr. Sherry Johns as a part-time associate veterinarian. Dr. Johns proved to be a very competent, caring, and compassionate veterinarian and she is still here today!
In early 2014, Animal Health Hospital undertook a significant remodel. The goal was to update the look and feel of the hospital, and highlight the quality of the medicine and client service that we provide. Dr. Metzger realizes that his staff are the hospital's greatest asset, and takes pride in the fact that clients very rarely see a new face here. Once a technician or veterinarian joins the team at Animal Health Hospital, they tend to stick around—and for good reason! The great people that make up the veterinary health care team at Animal Health Hospital continue to strive to provide great client and customer service with integrity and a connection to our community.
To learn more about VCA Animal Health Hospital or to schedule your pet's next veterinary appointment with us, please call our office anytime.
Want to join our team? Visit our Careers section.
Get to know us. Explore our staff biographies and learn about the people who make our facility an excellent choice for your pet care needs.
Team Spotlight
Dr. Sherry Johns is an Arizona native sort of. Sherry is the daughter of an Air Force pilot and was born in California. After spending her early years in Iran, she and her family moved back to Arizona. Sherry graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS degree in animal science, and then earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Colorado State University.
Dr. Johns initially practiced mixed animal medicine before moving back to Tucson, where for three years she practiced small animal emergency medicine. For the past 11 years, she has devoted herself exclusively to small animal medicine, and join...
Stephanie was born in Brunswick, Maine, and has spent most of her childhood being a military brat and moving to different military bases. In 2009, Stephanie's family decided to make Arizona their home and she has been here ever since. She started her career in veterinary medicine after graduating from Pima Community College's veterinary technician program in 2013. Stephanie accepted a technician position at Valley Animal Hospital of Sahuarita in 2013 when the hospital first opened. She has since then climbed the ladder and is now the hospital manager for both VCA Animal Health Hospital and VCA Valley Animal Hosp...
