Hi. How are you? If you’re reading this, then you are trying to get to know me a little better because you’re thinking about inviting me to your home to care for your fur babies. That is a tremendous privilege for me and a show of trust and respect that I want to honor. You may never have utilized a house-call service for your dog or cat yet, and so you may be feeling a little nervous or unsure of what to expect.  You may be wondering – who is this person and do I want to invite them inside my home? I understand this, and here is my want. I want to start a conversation about myself, yourself, and that special animal bond in your life.

Although we may not have met yet, I do know something about you already. You are someone who cares deeply for your animal and that is a bond that we have in common already. You may be looking at having me come to your house because you are unable to bring your pet to a clinic, or perhaps your dog or cat experiences undue stress at the vet’s office. Maybe you are juggling trying to take care of the kids and make dinner and get the dog his shots, or maybe you just have an extremely busy schedule and need to make the most efficient use of your time without spending over an hour getting to and from your vet’s office. Perhaps you want someone caring to offer a gentle passing for your loved companion in the stress-free comfort of their home. Whatever the reason, we have something in common already. You are someone who cares deeply for your animal and we share that passion.

Here is my story. I look forward to learning yours and that of your four-legged family.

Welcome to My Doorstep Vet.

Tina Han, DVM

I was that child who loved to watch PBS nature shows such as Wild America narrated by Marty Stouffer. Jane Goodall was my hero – as a kid I longed to be accepted by wild chimpanzees and admired her bravery and inspiration. I remember sitting underneath my parent’s fig tree, on a small stool and cloaked in a green poncho, still for minutes upon minutes, hoping the mockingbirds would hop close to me. I went crying to my father to beg him to stop using Gillette razors because of a PETA brochure I found that showed how bunnies were being tested upon with their razor blades. I was, in short, an animal-loving fanatical child. Yes, I brought home strays. Yes, my mom had to find a home for that litter of kittens and get Kitty spayed. However, as I got older, despite that early love for animals I chose a different educational and career path. I did this because I didn’t think I could handle the emotional challenge of difficult and sad cases, or situations where an animal was suffering. I was afraid of the tough aspect in veterinary medicine. So I studied environmental and civil engineering at Rice Univeristy and then embarked on a career in management consulting upon graduation. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s before I decided that my chosen profession, while lucrative, was not bringing me a sense of happiness or fulfillment.  I was living out of a suitcase in and out of hotels, leaving a trail of frequent flyer miles behind me, and having what I called a quarter-life crisis. I could trace that moment when I decided to change my career to a single event that got the proverbial ball rolling (if you’re interested, ask me about that when I come to visit you!). Without much ado, I decided to go back to school, obtain my prerequisite courses, and then apply to a veterinary program. I had been volunteering at the SPCA and at a local veterinary clinic for some time, so I knew what I was getting into and I was excited and full of determination for this next chapter in my life.  This was a 180 degree change for me, and I gave myself one chance to get into veterinary school. I worked hard, gave it my best shot, and was accepted to Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. I moved to College Station for the next 4 years. I left my corporate career, went into debt, and made the best decision of my life.

Once I graduated, I worked in a few clinics in the Houston area. I dedicated myself to my work, and with it came a lot of enjoyment as well as a fair amount of stress. I reached a point in my personal life where the stress became non-conducive to starting a family. So I took a break from work and was gifted with the birth of my twins. During this time, I started doing relief veterinary work to allow myself the flexibility of schedule needed both before and after my twins arrived. Relief work was a great way to manage my schedule, but I missed the consistency of building personal relationships with my clients and following up with my patients regularly. Clients were having trouble following me as I hopped around from clinic to clinic as I was needed. I began to notice a common theme in the various clinics that I was helping out at. People were increasingly interested in doing everything they could for the health of their pet, and were starving for knowledge and education as to the best way to maintain their health. Additionally, people were stressed when their pets were stressed by coming into the clinic. I became stressed with wanting to spend more time with my clients educating them and going over a personalized health plan in the setting of a busy practice with only 10-15 minutes to spend with each patient. People were so appreciative of the time spent addressing their questions without feeling rushed, and when their pets were stress-free and relaxed. I began to appreciate a need that people had for more time with the doctor, getting all their questions and concerns addressed and explained in a way that made sense. I empathized with the nervous dog or cat that was in an unfamiliar surrounding, shedding everything they had, panting and pacing around the room, and hiding underneath that one corner stool. I understood that cat whose only time to willingly enter their carrier was at the end of the appointment when it was time to leave. Thus, out of these experiences and observations came the birth of my house-call practice. It was tough leaving the best veterinary practice I have been a part of, where I was happy and honored to be able to practice with some of the top veterinarians in Houston. But with the support of my colleagues and friends at that practice and the support of my family and friends, I started my small business with equal parts excitement and anxiety.

Today, I work out of my home office, and I look forward to visiting with my clients and having the privilege to examine my patients in the stress-free comfort of their own home. I am able to offer extended focused doctor-patient-client time without feeling rushed or stressed. I am able to really devote the time that each patient deserves and spend extensive time educating my clients. In our busy chaotic lives where we juggle so many different hats, it is important to slow down every now and then for the things that are most important to us. It’s taking care of ourselves and those that we love. It’s connecting with others, be it 2-legged or 4-legged, and being a part of the community. This is what I enjoy. This is what I love. This is what I’ve chosen to pursue in my life. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special animal bond and the story you share with him or her. Now, it’s your turn. I look forward to meeting you and your dear companion and hearing your story! Welcome to My Doorstep Vet.