03/03/2021
OUR OWN DARLENE HERNADEZ GEEKIE IS A 2021 AWARD WINNER. CONGRATULATIONS!
Hernandez Geekie, DarleneDarlene Hernandez Geekie RVT, Founder and CEO
VEMA
Who or what inspired you to get into the pet industry?
I am one of those fortunate people that always knew what I wanted to do. As a child, I would catch lizards and keep them as pets, I would tell my twin sister I wanted to work with animals. It has always been my passion. I became a Registered Vet Tech, I have taught and started unique veterinary practices that address the needs of low cost spay / neuter for cats, or affordable care for those that are disadvantaged, homeless, or elderly to give back to my community and fill a gap in pet care.
What do you feel is your biggest contribution to the pet business and/or pet parents?
Biggest contribution is ability to find solutions to problems. Such as helping low income, homeless and disaster victims having the inability to pay a vet bill.
In my Veterinary Angels Medical Center Practice, I have specialist that see species that other vets are not used to seeing. So, when we respond to a disaster, we do not have turn away a donkey, rabbit, swan, or pig.
The Little Angels Project, my non-profit animal assistance organization, has responded to fires and an earthquake and has taken care of animals that were injured as a result of disaster at zero cost to the owners.
The VEMA idea stems from responding to those local disasters and the folks who show up at an evacuation center and having taken nothing for their pets including vet records that may prevent them from being allowed into the shelter. I wanted to be sure that pet owners were prepared with their own “go bag” and education.
During the disaster relief recovery, we learned how many people were not prepared and how to prepare and had no idea of what supplies to take. I have put together a product that pet owners can have confidence in that it is safe for their beloved pet.
What issues do you think need more attention from the pet industry and why?
We need to provide more education from the pet industry. Pet owners need to know more about the animals they are adopting – how long they live, how to handle emergencies, what resources are available to them to decide about selecting a pet that is right for them and the proper care for that animals We are educating people in pet care not just products so they have solutions for their pets to fill the gap.
As to pet care the public needs to understand that products need to be animal specific not just use people products. In a disaster, they need to be ready to help their pets if first responders cannot get there in time. They need to arm themselves with knowledge and become a valuable part of the pet industry team. There also needs to be education about what the animal will require over time – food / products for aging. Will it require medications and how to get them.
What are the most important attributes of a strong leader?
Willingness to be flexible, understand, listen, and ability to not be afraid to forge a new path regardless of who follows.
2021 Lifetime Achievement Award: NINA LEIGH KRUEGER Nina Leigh Krueger has spent the majority of her career in the animal and pet care industry, culminating on January 1, when she became the CEO and President of Nestlé Purina PetCare for the Americas. Krueger is not only the eighth CEO in company h...
