I’ve always loved animals. When I was little, dogs used to follow me home (well, that’s what I told my mother). We had guinea pigs and Basset Hounds and my first dog was a little poodle/terrier mix that I adopted from the shelter in Kansas.

Terri Johnson, CVT, began her career down a different path. She earned her BA in speech and drama from the University of Kansas in 1980, and later earned her MA of special studies in public relations from the University of Denver.

After a few years and an unstable job market, Terri decided to get her associates of animal science from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology, and later obtained her Certified Veterinary Technician’s (CVT) degree there as well.

I always knew I wanted to work with animals. I’d taken a tour of Bel-Rea to see if that was something I wanted to pursue and little did I know at that time, that about 10 years later, I’d actually be going to school there.

Finally having found her calling, Terri started out in the veterinary field as a CVT in Denver, Colo. Although she found it rewarding and really enjoyed her job, Terri realized that working as a technician was physically and emotionally challenging. She changed direction again, this time as president and owner of Pampered Pets, a social boarding facility for dogs, before the idea of doggie daycare exploded.

Ready for a move back to the city, Terri gave up her business and came to work for AAHA in 2001 and is currently one of the Association’s in-house practice accreditation coordinators.

When she’s not helping practices become AAHA-accredited, Terri enjoys the great outdoors Colorado has to offer – mountain biking, snow skiing and hiking with her Labernese, Sasha and Keeshond, Bandit. Terri’s also mom to a Siamese-Rag doll mix, Miss Kitty, and foster mom to Flarfy, a loveable Bassett Hound. A full house!