Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital Team

Dr. Charles Yurkon has been in vet medicine for over 20 years with a Master’s in Toxicology and Business from Colorado State University. He has a special interest in internal medicine, especially endocrinology, cardiology, and surgery. He has a big passion for sharing his knowledge with future vets.

When Dr. Yurkon is not at Happy Tales, he is spending time with his family, teaching Charley and Emmett all sorts of outdoor activities, working with his power tools, bucking trees, fishing, and hiking. He is owned by his dog Hoagie, 3 cat, Stinger, Stella, and Peaches as well as a few chickens.

1. What you like?
   Feelings of accomplishment in both my personal and work life.
2. What you dislike?
   Ignorant people.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I liked math and science growing up and medicine was a very appealing career choice for me.  Since people are gross and I like animals, I ended up in veterinary medicine.
4. What is your education?
   – Bachelor of Science in biology from Wilkes University.
   – Masters of Science in epidemiology (toxicology specialization) from Colorado State University.
   – Masters of business administration from Colorado State University.
   – Doctor of veterinary medicine from Colorado State University.
5. Your superpowers?
   Being a father.
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Helping animals to feel better.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   My family.
8. What is your favorite animal?
   In no particular order: big cats (lynx, tigers, lions), honey badger, dogs, little cats.
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   Mostly working on the homestead.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Loyal, goofy, gentle.

Dr. Pawl’s undergraduate studies were at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University. Go Cyclones!

She originally started as a mixed animal veterinarian but has migrated to small animals only. She loves animals of all sizes, great and small, but she really loves cows. She currently owns Pembroke Welsh Corgis and a Bernese Mountain Dog. She participates in AKC conformation events with her 4 dogs. If she is not at a dog show, her daughter and she can be found at the park or out exploring.

Dr. Taylor O’Malley was born and raised in Sharpsville. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology, complemented by a minor in Chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to beginning her career at Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital, she excelled as a manager at the prestigious Avalon Golf Course & Country Club.

Dr. O’Malley recently graduated from Colorado State University, earning a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and an accompanying Master’s in Business Administration. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys quality time with her loved ones. Among her cherished family members are two endearing feline companions named Oliver and Fletcher, who bring joy to her life.

Jennifer attended veterinary technician school at SUNY Delhi to become a certified veterinary technician. At some point in her career, she began leading veterinary hospitals. She met her husband at a practice in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where they worked together as veterinary technicians. They then moved to Colorado for him to pursue his doctorate in veterinary medicine. They found their way back to Pennsylvania and landed in a great location. Soon, Jennifer became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. She is now in her 4th year of owning Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital, has 2 beautiful children, and loves her team!

1. What do you like?
   Spending time with family, animals, outdoors.
2. What do you dislike?
   Hard conversations and difficult people.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   Attended veterinary technician school at SUNY Delhi to become a certified veterinary technician. At some point in my career, I began leading veterinary hospitals. Met my husband at a practice in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where we worked together as veterinary technicians. During this time we moved to Colorado for him to pursue his doctorate in veterinary medicine. We found our way back to Pennsylvania and landed in a great location. During this time, I became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. We are now on 4th year of ownership of Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital and have 2 beautiful children. We have a great team!
4. What is your education?
   – 2-year college degree as Certified Veterinary Technician.
   – Lots of hours and courses for my Certified Veterinary Practice Manager.
5. Your superpowers?
   Intuition, raising 2 kids as well as running a veterinary hospital.
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Animals and our team.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   Intuition and my compassion.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Cats/Horses, Dogs/Frogs, Turtles, and everything.
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   Home with family, gardening, cleaning, or at the practice working on projects.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Responsible, hard-working, compassionate.

Tracy wanted to get out of the food industry after high school. She worked at Boardwalk Fries and Arby’s outlet mall. She applied to a nursing home for the laundry department and Grove City Veterinary Clinic. Got a job offer for both. The nursing home laundry department had better hours, but the deciding factor was the offer of vacation and 401K at Grove City Veterinary Clinic. She spent 24 years with Grove City Veterinary Clinic before it was closed permanently. Since then, she’s spent 4 and half years at Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital.

1. What do you like?
   Sunshine, beach, and camping.
2. What do you dislike?
   Coconut, mean people, and snow.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   Actually, I wanted to get out of the food industry after high school. Worked at Boardwalk Fries and Arby’s outlet mall. Applied to a nursing home for the laundry department and Grove City Veterinary Clinic. Got a job offer for both. The nursing home laundry department had better hours but decided with the offer for vacation and 401K to try Grove City Veterinary Clinic. 24 years with Grove City Veterinary Clinic before it was closed permanently. Now 4 and half years at Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital.
4. What is your education?
   Graduated High School with high honors.
5. Your superpowers?
   I believe I can always see the good in people.
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Being able to interact daily with clients and pets both.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   My loyalty
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Dog
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   At home or at a softball game.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Friendly, Loyal, and Compassionate.

Pam likes being outside, planting flowers, and spending time with her kids. She also loves kayaking, swimming, long walks, hiking, and flowers. Pam had worked in the ophthalmology field for 8 years and needed a change. She saw an ad for a veterinary hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. She feels that helping animals and owners was where she needed to be. She loves being part of a team, helping clients and her team out, and seeing animals get the care they need.

1. What do you like?
   I like being outside, planting flowers, spending time with my kids, kayaking, swimming, long walks, hiking, and flowers.
2. What do you dislike?
   People who are not honest, people who hurt animals, and not being able to have your own opinion around certain people.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I had worked in the ophthalmology field for 8 years and needed a change. I saw an ad for a veterinary hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. I feel that helping animals and owners were where I needed to be.
4. What is your education?
   My education in school was mainly business. I have a 2-year degree in business. Your superpowers?
   I am still figuring that out as it is a work in progress.
5. What is the favorite part of your job?
   I love being part of a team, helping clients and my team out, and seeing animals get the that they need.
6. What do you love about yourself?
   That I don’t give up, I keep trying to work on myself and I love that I am willing to try new things, get out of my comfort zone, I am beginning to “like” myself not in love yet.
7. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Kitties, horses, and dogs.
8. Where would we find you on your day off?
   The gym if the weather is not good, nice seasons the park, hiking in the woods, flea markets, kayaking, and spending time with my kids and grand dog Kooper and grand cat Bella.
9. Write 3 words that describe you.
   Hardworking, loyal and caring.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Hardworking, loyal and caring.

Lauren loves helping people and her pets more than anything. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, antiquing, exercising, and doing outdoor activities. She’s always loved animals since she was a kid. She grew up around farm animals and would bring home strays, even as a child. She especially loved all the barn cats! She’s excited to be your Certified Veterinary Assistant.

1. What do you like?
   I love spending time with my family, traveling, antiquing, exercising, and doing outdoor activities.
2. What do you dislike?
   Not having sunshine every day, disease and suffering, and evil.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I’ve always loved animals since I was a kid. I grew up around farm animals and have brought home strays even as a child. I especially loved all the barn cats.
4. What is your education?
   Certified Veterinary Assistant.
5. Your superpowers?
   Empathy and organization.
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Helping people and their pets.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   I can talk to anyone and anywhere at any time.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Boxers are my favorite breed and I love Big cats, especially leopards.
9. Where would we find you on your day off? Running errands.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Thoughtful, giving, and active.

Connor is presently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at college. However, he has decided to pursue veterinary medicine due to his fondness for animals. He particularly enjoys spending time with dogs, with Golden Retrievers being his favorite breed.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and hanging out with my dogs and friends.

Renne has always wanted to work with animals since she was young. She is currently enrolled at PennFoster Veterinary Technician school. She loves interacting with patients and hearing their stories. She has a passion for animals, she’s caring, and she wants to expand her knowledge.

1. What do you like?
   Intelligent people and hard workers
2. What do you dislike?
   People who do not work to their capabilities and dramatics.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   Have always wanted to work with animals since I was young.
4. What is your education?
   Currently enrolled at PennFoster Veterinary Technician school.
5. Your superpowers?
   No superpowers that I am aware of
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Interaction with patients and hearing their stories.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   Passion for animals, caring, and wanting to expand my knowledge.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   No particular favorites, like most animals but birds.
9. Where would we find you on your day off?Studying.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Committed, inquisitive, factual.

Alana was working at a dead-end job and was miserable. Her partner convinced her to go back to school and she ended up at VTI of Pittsburgh. Once she graduated in 2020, she sat for her boards and became certified. If she had to pick a superpower, it would be her ability to draw blood on fat dogs. The best part of this job is being able to provide help for every animal, even if that “help” means letting them go. Alana loves reading, cross-stitching, video games, camping, and bowling.

1. What do you like?
   Reading, cross-stitching, video games, camping, and bowling.
2. What do you dislike?
   Big parties and hot weather.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I was working at a dead-end job and was miserable. My partner convinced me to go back to school and I ended up at VTI of Pittsburgh once I graduated in 2020 and I sat on my boards to become certified.
4. What is your education?
   Veterinary Technical Institute in Pittsburgh with an Associates in Specialized Technology Degree.
5. Your superpowers?
   The ability to draw blood on fat dogs.
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Being able to provide help for every animal we see, even if “Help” means letting them go.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   That I am slowly proving to myself that I am a better person than I thought I was.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Dogs of all kinds.
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   On my computer or out in the woods!
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Blunt, Loyal, Fast.

Molly loves hiking, walking her dogs, kayaking, swimming, and video games. She always had a love and passion for animals. She has an associate’s degree from Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh. If she were to have a superpower, it would definitely be handling difficult Chihuahuas. Her favorite part of the job would be the compassionate and comforting effects you can have on people and their pets.

1. What do you like?
   Hiking, walking my dogs, kayaking, swimming, and video games.
2. What do you dislike?
   Untidy homes, lying, and laziness
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   Always had a love and passion for animals.
4. What is your education?
   Associates degree from Vet Tech Institute in Pittsburgh.
5. Your superpowers?
   Handling difficult Chihuahuas
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Compassion and comforting effects you can have on people and their pets.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   Ability to work and improve myself everyday and ability to stand up for myself and what I believe in.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Chihuahua
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   Outside with the dogs, sleeping, playing video games.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Loud, upbeat, and energetic.

Alexys loves animals (of course!), taking adventures, and seeing new places. She has always loved animals since she was a child and knew this is what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Nothing ever felt as perfect as being around animals. She is currently obtaining her undergraduate at YSU, majoring in Pre-Veterinarian. She loves seeing the puppies and kittens and understanding and learning all of what is behind the medicine.

1. What do you like?
   I love animals. I like taking adventures and seeing new places. I love the beach and the ocean.
2. What do you dislike?
   Disrespectful people, narcissistic, conflict, and bad environments.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I have always loved animals since I was a child and knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Nothing ever felt as perfect as being around animals.
4. What is your education?
   –  High School- Sharpsville High School
   – Undergraduate- YSU majoring in Pre-Veterinarian ( Biology BS)
   – Would like to pursue veterinary school for small animals and pocket pets possibly zoo/aquatics
5. Your superpowers?
   Sensitivity to others, observation, endurance, strength, and resilience.
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Seeing the puppies and kittens, understanding and learning all of what is behind the medicine.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   Everything especially my brain and willpower with my abilities.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Orange tabby’s, corgis, lions, hamsters, and dolphins.
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   Watching my favorite show, cuddled up with Patches.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Determined, strong, and independent. Bonus: Compassionate.

1. What do you like?
   I like being outdoors, spending time with my son, and reading a good book.
2. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I have always loved animals. I’ve been trying to help them ever since I was little.
3. What is your education?
   I went to Vet Tech School right out of high school. I’m currently enrolled at Westminster College pre-med. Then after that, I plan to apply for Vet School at Ohio State.
4. Your superpowers?
   I can juggle many things in my life. I am also great at multitasking and working.
5. What is the favorite part of your job?
   I like to help animals when they are sick and watch them get better and thrive again.
6. What do you love about yourself?
   I love being a mom, it’s my favorite job!
7. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   I do not have any favorites as I love all animals. I can’t pick just one!
8. Where would we find you on your day off?
   I like to spend time with my son or study for school. I also love being outside.
9. Write 3 words that describe you.
   Hardworking, accepting, and driven.

1. What do you like?
   Hunting, video games, learning new things, food, and friends
2. What do you dislike?
   Failing and/or letting others down
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   Fell in love with science/medicine and wanted to incorperate my passion for animals into that
4. What is your education?
   Still in school but will graduate with Associate in Specialized Technology: Veterinary Technology
5. Your superpowers?
   Adaptiveness to situations
6. What is the favorite part of your job?
   Watching happy clients leave with healthy patients
7. What do you love about yourself?
   The amount of care and compassion I have despite years of hardship
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Big cats such as black panthers and snow leopards
9. Where would we find you on your day off?
   At home or outside somewhere
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Willfullness, problem-solver, compassionate

Kayla thrives as an integral part of a tightly-knit team, driven by her desire to enact meaningful change. A lifelong animal lover, she has pursued her passion and earned her associates degree from VTI. Her extraordinary superpower is an unwavering, deep-seated compassion for animals, a quality that sets her apart.

What brings her the most joy in her profession is witnessing ailing pets leave her care on the path to recovery. Kayla possesses a remarkable resilience that keeps her pushing forward even in the face of adversity. Horses and dogs hold a special place in her heart, and beyond her work, you’ll often find her outdoors, accompanied by her beloved animals.

Her strength, determination, and unwavering passion drive her to make a lasting impact in the world of animal care.

Rachel, an avid outdoors enthusiast, loves hunting, fishing, boating, and crafting. She dislikes mean-spirited individuals. Her veterinary journey started in 4-H with rabbits and goats, leading to graduation from the VetTech Institute of Pittsburgh in 2018. Rachel’s superpowers include multitasking, organization, responsibility, and compassion, bringing joy to her daily learning experiences in veterinary medicine. She takes pride in understanding others and making them smile. Favorite animals: goats, owls, and cats. On days off, Rachel can be found outdoors or crafting. In three words, she is kind, compassionate, and hardworking.

1. What do you like?
   To hunt, fish, boat, walk in the woods, and craft.
2. What do you dislike?
   Mean people.
3. What is your personal story of why you are in veterinary medicine?
   I was in 4-H since I was 9 years old with rabbits, and then goats in my teens. I loved caring for the animals and learning their husbandry and wanted to pursue it for my career.
4. What is your education?
   I graduated from VetTech Institute of Pittsburgh in 2018 with an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology (Veterinary Technology)
5. Your superpowers?
   Multitasking, organization, responsibility, and compassion.
6. What is your favorite part of your job?
   Learning and seeing something new every day.
7. What do you love about yourself?
   My hair, my ability to understand, and make people smile.
8. What is your favorite animal(s)?
   Goats, owls, and cats.
9. Where would we find you on your days off?
   Hunting, fishing, on the boat, crafting, and walking in the woods.
10. Write 3 words that describe you.
    Kindness, compassionate, and hard working.

Julia is a junior attending Sharpsville High School and has joined our team to explore different career paths with a job that will always keep her on her toes.  She also loves spending time with all the different kinds of animals that visit us every day. In addition, she loves being able to learn new skills, gain knowledge, and build relationships as a part of the team. Her ability to pick up new skills and her curiosity helps her in many ways in the veterinary field.

In her free time, she enjoys crafting, DIYing, kayaking, and taking naps. She loves the beach, Newfoundland dogs, baby cows, and goats. Overall, she is a confident, ambitious, and caring person.

Becky has always loved rescuing animals and helping them. She has just graduated from high school and wants to be a tech and is still deciding where to go to school. She enjoys playing with animals and eating food. She prides herself on being a good listener and taking care of several animals at one time. Her favorite part of her job is seeing all the animals and helping them feel better.  Her favorite animals are raccoons and dogs. In her free time, Becky likes to run around in her backyard with her dog. Becky is compassionate, hardworking, and determined. 

Triston is currently pursuing a Biology degree at Thiel College. His passion for science and love for animals steered him towards veterinary medicine. His favorite part of the job is being able to learn about animals as well as helping them. His favorite animals are any dog or large predator.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, being on the lake, hunting/fishing, and going to new places. 

Larissa has been passionate about animals her entire life. After high school, she got a job in human medicine. At 30 years old she decided to go to SNHU and major in Environmental Science with a focus in wildlife conservation. Happy Tales Veterinary Hospital took a chance on her, and she is very grateful for the opportunity. Her favorite part of the job is treating everybody’s pets as if they were her own.

In her free time, she enjoys gardening, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family and pets.