Our Staff

We at Tender Care are dedicated to preserving the health and well-being of your pet. We know that your pet is a special part of your family. Animals are our companions and best friends, and we understand that choosing a veterinarian for them is not always easy.

We are pleased that you have entrusted us with your pet's care. Rest assured we will always treat your pet as if it were one of our own. We are committed to providing total health care for your pet.

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Dr. Enita Larson : D.V.M.

Enita Larson, DVM is a 1995 graduate of Kansas State University. with over 15 years of experience she has done a surgical internship, worked at a very busy 24-hour hospital, spent 1 ½ years doing emergency work and has done relief work all over eastern Nebraska. She has a professional interest in Ophthalmology. Her wide range of experiences has helped her become confident and knowledgeable in many areas. She opened Tender Care Animal Hospital in June 2005 and has found Gretna to have a great mix of small town hospitality yet still receptive to high quality medicine.

Enita and her husband, Sean, have 2 young children--Ayden and Avelyn. They enjoy their Labradors and a cat. In her spare time she enjoys running, triathlons and gardening.

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Dr. Leslie Buggi : D.V.M.

Leslie Buggi, DVM is a 2006 graduate of Kansas State University. She is a native of Columbus, Nebraska and has been practicing small animal medicine in Omaha since graduation. Her professional interests are in internal medicine and dentistry. Leslie joined Tender Care in February of 2008. She is a member of the AVMA, NAVM and currently serves on the board for the Nebraska Academy of Veterinary Medicine.

Leslie and her husband, Matt currently live in Papillion. They have a young son, Joey. Leslie's hobbies include reading, running and spending time with family.

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Dr. Martha Elmore : D.V.M.

Martha Elmore, DVM received her degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1995 at Colorado State University. She worked as a mixed animal practitioner in Arizona before moving to Omaha, NE. Dr. Elmore was an associate in a 24-hour small animal practice for several years before opening her own clinic later in Omaha--at which time she was also a veterinary technician instructor. Currently, she works as a Veterinary Medical Officer with the USDA Veterinary Services during the week and at Tender Care on the weekends.

Martha lives in Wahoo, NE with her husband Mark, her dog Chance (Golden Retriever/Lab) and her three Quarter Horses. Her hobbies include running, horseback riding, and reading.

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Kari Ryan : L.V.T.

Kari graduated from Northeast Community College in 1999. She worked as a veterinary technician for 9 years in Lincoln before joining the Tender Care team when her family  moved to Omaha.

Kari and her husband Tracey have a son named Brant and a daughter named Braelyn. They also have a miniature Schnauzer named Oto.
In her free time she enjoys reading and being outdoors.

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Laura Bjorstad : L.V.T.

Laura recently received her Associates of Applied Science degree from Vatterott College in 2010 and was a graduate of Millard North High School in 2007. She worked as a kennel assistant for a veterinary hospital in Omaha while in school,  prior to joining the Tender Care team.

In her free time, Laura enjoys photography, sketching, reading and bicycling. She currently resides in Omaha with her black lab Harley and rescue cat Neko.

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Shannon Trouba : L.V.T.

Shannon Trouba, L.V.T. is a March 2003 graduate from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. She has also completed the DOGS! Course at Purdue University and teaches puppy classes.

Shannon lives in Gretna with her husband Don and their young daughters Sidney, Charlotte, and Josie. They currently have a Shiba Inu named Misha, a lab mix named Jericho and a cat named Squeeky.

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Michelle Allison : Veterinary Assistant

Michelle has worked as a veterinary assistant for 6 years in Lincoln before joining our staff. She and her husband have a youg daughter, Olivia. They live in Greenwood, NE.

They have two dogs; Smokey and Pixie: five cats; Loki, Pooter, Akasha, Windy and Peyton: a gargoyle gecko and a dumpy tree frog. In her free time she enjoys walking the dogs (and one of the cats!) around their small town, visiting local state parks, going to concerts and reading.

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Terry Nelson : Receptionist

Terry will greet you at the front desk with a smile. She grew up on a central Nebraska farm and loves all animals, large and small. She has a varied business and sales background, and is happy to be able to combine her interests at Tender Care Animal Hospital.

Terry and her husband, Bob  (also a native Nebraskan) have two sons. They enjoy Husker football and volleyball and Creighton basketball. Their family also includes her rescue dog,  Scamp (Pomeranian mix).

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Mary Ruff: Groomer

Mary grew up on a farm in Springfield, NE. Using her love of animals, she decided to go to Nebraska College of Tech. Agriculture school in Curtis, NE.  Here she received a degree in Animal Science/Feedlot management. Mary learned a lot about animals in school and also attended Petsmart's grooming academy. Mary loves grooming dogs and cats and it shows by how fabulous they look after a day in her spa! We are happy to have her here five days a week.

Mary has two children and two dogs and currently lives in Gretna.  

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Laura Kuhn : Kennel Attendant

Laura is a junior at Millard West High School. She swims on the varsity swim team and also volunteers at the Nebraska Humane Society. Each year she and her family help organize a swim meet with procedes going to the NHS. Laura has wanted to become a veterinarian since the age of 5.

Laura lives with her parents and younger brother Trevor in Millard. She has a Yorkie-poo named Annie and a chinchilla named Chazz.

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Sabrina Korth : Kennel Attendant

Sabrina was born in Omaha, NE and moved to Gretna in 2004. She is a sophomore at Gretna Senior High. After graduation, she plans on going to the University of Nebraska.
In her free time she enjoys reading, listening to music, waterskiiing/tubing, and being with her friends.

Sabrina lives with her parents, a little sister and four cats: Holly, Ivy, Dusty and Gracie.

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Trooper : Clinic Dog

Trooper (approx. 8yrs old) came to Tender Care Animal Hospital via a State Trooper in October 2006. He was found running on the interstate near the Platte River. He came with no collar, tags or microchip. After a month of unsuccessful effort to locate his owner, Dr Larson elected to keep him. He has been a sweet addition to the hospital as he greets all who enter.

Trooper used accompany Dr Larson on her daily runs until he started limping one day. X-rays revealed that Trooper's ACL's (the ligaments in his knees) were torn and he had developed arthritis in both knees. Dr Merkley did a surgical procedure called a TPLO on both sides approximately 6 weeks apart. This is a procedure in which the leg is essentially broken and plated back together to stabilize the knee. After months of rehabilitation, he walks without pain and is doing great. He now loves long walks and sleeping in the office.

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Millicent Bystander : Clinic Cat

Millicent presented to our hospital for euthanasia due to a very complex pelvic fracture after being hit by a car. Even with non-functioning rear legs, he was still kneading with his front legs! The staff immediately fell in love with him and it was decided he would be our charity of the year. Everyone pitched in to help with his medical bills and Dr Merkley our board certified surgeon put his pelvis back together. After only four weeks of cage rest Millicent is fully healed and has no problems getting into everything! Be sure to look for him at your next visit or follow him on Face Book. His usual perch is on the fax machine or sleeping in the office.

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Willie : In Loving Memory 1987-2008

Willie had been with Dr Larson for nearly 21 years. He mostly slept in the office or in his heated bed. Occasionally Willie would make the rounds for treats or to beg for more canned food. Willie was a special part of our family and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.