From Technician to Hospital Administrator – Four Decades of Learning, Teaching, and Leading
For Laura Gardner, veterinary medicine wasn’t the family business – it was the alternative.
Growing up in Houston surrounded by relatives working in human healthcare, Laura knew she wanted a career helping others, but she wanted to forge her own path. When her sister showed her an article about a new animal health program in Texas, everything clicked.
More than 40 years later, she’s still doing the work she loves.
Today, Laura serves as Hospital Administrator at Bissonnet Veterinary Clinic in Houston, Texas, where she combines decades of clinical experience with a passion for leadership, mentorship, and helping others grow.
An Unexpected Introduction to Lakefield
Before joining Lakefield, Laura worked alongside Dr. Tippett, the former owner of the practice. At the time, Laura was serving as a lead technician and later became Assistant Hospital Administrator.
When Dr. Tippett first mentioned selling to a corporation, Laura wasn’t convinced.
“There weren’t many veterinary corporations back then, and the ones people knew about didn’t always have great reputations,” Laura recalled. “I told her, ‘You can never do that.'”
Just a few months later, the practice joined Lakefield. What Laura expected and what she experienced turned out to be very different.
“Right from the beginning, Lakefield included everyone. They involved the doctors, the staff, and the leadership team. It didn’t feel like a corporation. It felt like people who genuinely cared about helping practices continue doing what they already did well.”
Eight years later, that first impression still holds true.
A Career Built on Curiosity
Laura’s veterinary journey has taken her through emergency medicine, oncology, general practice, and hospital leadership.
One of her earliest mentors was Dr. Glenn King, one of the founding family members behind Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. Working alongside leaders like Dr. King helped shape her commitment to gold-standard medicine and lifelong learning.
Throughout her career, Laura has never stopped looking for opportunities to grow. Whether stepping into management roles, learning the financial side of veterinary medicine, or helping onboard new leaders, she’s always embraced the next challenge.
“I never say never,” Laura said. “You never know what opportunities life is going to put in front of you.”
The Labrador Named Arthur
When asked about a memorable case, one patient immediately came to mind.
While working in oncology, Laura cared for a Labrador named Arthur whose family had planned an international trip years in advance. Unfortunately, Arthur was undergoing daily radiation treatments and couldn’t miss care while they were away, so Laura stepped in.
She welcomed Arthur into her home for two weeks, transported him to treatments every day, provided supportive care, and made sure he stayed comfortable throughout his recovery.
When Arthur’s family returned, they found him happily stretched out on Laura’s couch.
“He looked at them like, ‘Oh, I guess it’s time to leave the Gardner Resort,'” Laura laughed.
For Laura, the experience wasn’t about going above and beyond. It was simply helping a family when they needed it most.
Building the Next Generation
While patient care remains close to her heart, Laura is equally proud of the people she has helped develop throughout her career.
Over the years, she’s watched kennel assistants become technicians, technicians become leaders, and team members go on to veterinary school.
Today, three former Bissonnet team members are either graduating from veterinary school or preparing to graduate soon. Several even returned to complete externships at the hospital where they first started their careers.
“I want people to have opportunities. I think knowledge should be shared, not kept to yourself. The more we teach each other, the stronger the clinic becomes.”
Watching team members find their own paths is one of Laura’s greatest sources of pride.
Leading Through Support
Laura credits much of her own growth to the people who invested in her along the way.
After being unexpectedly promoted into management at just 20 years old, she learned through experience, determination, and the guidance of mentors who believed in her.
More recently, she credits leaders like Emily Brechner, Amy Holland, Linda Hall, and Angie Cantu for helping her continue developing as a Hospital Administrator.
She also points to something she believes makes Lakefield unique – the willingness of people across the organization to help one another.
“If I have a question, I can call another Hospital Administrator, someone in Finance, Payroll, HR, or Operations, and they’re always willing to help. That kind of support makes a huge difference.”
A Legacy of Learning
When Laura thinks about the legacy she hopes to leave behind, her answer is simple. She wants to be remembered as someone who was patient, kind, helpful, and willing to open doors for others.
After more than four decades in veterinary medicine, that legacy is already taking shape through the countless team members she’s mentored, the patients she’s cared for, and the knowledge she’s shared along the way.
