Our Team

APPOINTMENT

We are proud to introduce you to our dedicated team of Granbury vets and veterinary professionals serving at Acton Animal Hospital.

Dr. Richard Gesell, Fear Free Certified

Dr. Richard Gesell, Fear Free Certified

Veterinarian

Dr. Richard Gesell was raised in southern Maryland, and attended college at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, graduating with a degree in Paramedicine. After working as a paramedic in Maryland, and North Carolina, he decided to go back to school and become a veterinarian. He graduated from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and moved to North East Texas to work as a dairy veterinarian. In 2010, Dr. Gesell joined a mixed animal veterinary practice in Quitman, Texas, and developed an interest in small animal veterinary medicine and surgery, specifically in feline medicine, surgery, and anesthesia. In 2013, Drs. Gesell purchased the Acton Animal Hospital in Granbury, Texas to continue a career in small animal medicine exclusively. In 2018, he purchased Morgan Street Animal Hospital to expand his love and care to both sides of Granbury. The primary species Dr. Gesell works with are cats, dogs, and small mammals (exotics) such as rabbits, ferrets, rats, and guinea pigs.

Dr. Richard Gesell is married to his lovely wife Kristina, who is also a veterinarian and partner in Acton Animal Hospital. They have a daughter Amelia Grace and a son Richard Charles. He also has 4-legged children consisting of two dogs, multiple cats, chickens, fish, and gerbils.

Dr. Kristina Gesell, DABVP Canine/Feline, Fear Free Certified

Dr. Kristina Gesell, DABVP Canine/Feline, Fear Free Certified

Veterinarian

Dr. Kristina Gesell is a 2001 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been working as a small animal veterinarian since then in North Carolina, Dallas, east Texas, and Granbury. In 2011 she became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certified in Canine and Feline Practice, and just recently recertified for another 10 years (until 2032). She has an interest in oncology, endocrinology, and ultrasound and is developing an interest in herbal medicine.

Dr. Kristina has been married to Dr. Richard Gesell for many years and they have 2 children – Amelia and Richard (AKA Junior). They have numerous dogs, cats, chickens, fish, and a gerbil at home, plus all the clinic cats between the two hospitals. Outside of work, she likes to read, cook, do jigsaw puzzles, quilt, and crochet/knit.

Debra Gryder, DVM

Debra Gryder, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Gryder was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and moved to El Campo, Texas with her parents when she was fifteen. Dr. Gryder knew she wanted to become a veterinarian early in life and enjoyed spending time with her dogs, cats, and horses growing up in Texas. Dr. Gryder attended Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1991. She married her husband, Scott, while in veterinary school and they moved to Granbury in 1996. She has worked as a veterinarian for over twenty years in and around Granbury. Dr. Gryder enjoys all parts of veterinary medicine, including wellness preventative medicine, internal medicine, and surgery. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is getting to know the clients and caring for their pets throughout their lifetime. Dr. Gryder enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters, her church (Triple Cross Cowboy Church), her dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.

Michelle Henderson

Practice Manager – Fear Free Certified
Michelle's Bio
Michelle grew up in Burleson, Texas, where she met and fell in love with her husband in 8th grade! They raised their two sons in Joshua, Texas, and after they both graduated, She and her husband decided they wanted to live on the lake. Michelle joined our team 2 years ago after searching for a facility that would allow her to pursue nursing school while still being able to teach and share knowledge with others. She began working in the veterinary field after being laid off. She stumbled upon a Receptionist Position and slowly worked her way into the technician role, and realized her calling was to help pets and their owners. Michelle has two dogs of her own: Lucy, a boxer that is “allergic to life” but would not hurt a fly. She actually helped train their newest family member to sit by taking her paw and pushing his rump down so they could both get the treat. Timon, the newest member, is a chihuahua adopted from Friends for Animals here in Granbury, and he is absolutely in love with Lucy. “Every so often, he will look at me and bark to remind me, ’She is still outside, mom!’” Michelle loves to learn new things and challenge herself. In her spare time, she loves to find the beauty in things and enhance it. For example, remodeling houses, redoing furniture and bringing plants back to life from the clearance section. She also has a passion for developing other people, helping them find their strengths, and growing them so that they can help other people as well. Michelle’s favorite part of working in the veterinary field is assisting with emergencies and critical care patients and teaching others how to handle those situations as well.

“I searched and found a home here where the owners of the business, doctors, and staff truly care. Not only for the pets and their owners but for the staff as well.”

Megan Slimp

Veterinary Technician – CVA 2, Fear Free Certified

Megan's Bio

Megan grew up in Lipan, Texas, and came to work at Acton Animal Hospital 2 years ago. Megan’s love of working in the veterinary field stemmed from working on a farm with her family. Megan told us of the moment that really solidified her desire to work with animals. “I think what made my heart fully emerge in loving animals and wanting to help them was when I had a lamb that got stuck in a stock tank and almost didn’t make it. I just remember us doing everything we could to save the lamb and we did, I knew at that moment that what I wanted to do was help animals of all kinds.” Megan really shines best when she is working with cats. She enjoys earning their trust because they are so challenging and picky about the people they let in. Megan has 3 cats of her own, as well as 3 retired cutting horses. Most of her hobbies now include spending time with her beautiful baby girl Aleigh and her husband Brad. She looks forward to teaching her how to love animals just as much as she does. She still helps out at the Hood County stock show each January, helping teach clover kids how to respect and care for animals, as well as confidence and responsibility.

“Every day is a new day here and I enjoy learning new things and laughing with my coworkers.”

Emilee Carr

Veterinary Technician – CVA 1, Fear Free Certified
Emilee's Bio

Emilee grew up and still lives in Stephenville, Texas with her sister, parents, aunt, 2 nephews, and grandparents. She came to the practice in October 2018 as a kennel technician and quickly moved into the role of a room technician within a matter of months. Ever since she was young, her family had told her she had an unexplainable way with animals and always knew what to do for them. She used to go to the farm at TSU in Stephenville with her grandparents to pet all of the horses. What she enjoys most about working in veterinary medicine is working with the doctor to figure out diagnoses for the patients, helping with anxious pets, and even at the hardest times she is grateful for the opportunity to be with families as their pets cross the rainbow bridge. She has one dog of her own, a 1-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer named Peetie, as well as several animals at her parents’ farm including 3 miniature dachshunds, 2 horses, 2 Angus cows, and a duck named Dutton. In her spare time, Emilee enjoys taking her dog swimming, fishing, spending time with her family, and going to sporting events in Stephenville.

“What I enjoy most about my job is seeing all of the pets come in for vaccinations leaving happy and healthy.”

Heather Bloodgood

Veterinary Technician – CVA 2, Fear Free Certified

Heather's Bio
Heather (AKA Beegee) grew up right here in Granbury with her parents and her sister. She had been at the Morgan Street Animal Hospital for seven years before the doctor purchased the clinic, and we are so glad she decided to stay with the clinic when we bought it. She has three cats of her own and a dog, as well as a whole flock of chickens. When Beegee was in high school, they were tasked with giving subcutaneous banana injections of food coloring. The teacher at the time was very picky, and Beegee was one of the only two people who could do the injection correctly, so she likes to say that she became a vet tech because of a banana. Her favorite part of working at the clinic would be drawing blood samples for lab work and taking radiographs because it is fun to guess what the doctor will diagnose. She has a special interest in cats, especially the Morgan Street clinic cat (Niblet), which we refer to as her son. She loves photographing plants and flowers, video games, drawing, and telling jokes.

Mickie Jones

Veterinary Technician – CVA 1, Fear Free Certified

Mickie's Bio

Mickie was born and raised in Belton, Texas. She moved away after graduating from Mclennan Community College. She had several friends that were working with animals that convinced her to try it and from her very first day as a kennel technician, she fell in love with the job. Mickie has been in the veterinary field since 2008 and started with our practice in 2020. She is currently working on becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). She used to have snakes, rats, guinea pigs, and birds, but now she only has 2 dogs and 4 cats. She hopes to have a Great Dane or a Newfoundland when she has a bigger place. When Mickie is not at work, she enjoys reading, watching tv, and hanging out with friends. She also liked to have people over to try different recipes. Mickie’s favorite part about working in this field is seeing the clients’ love for their pets throughout the years and caring for other people’s pets like they are part of the family.

Jennifer Holt

Client Service Representative

Jennifer's Bio

Jennifer joined our practice in mid-June of 2022 after being a stay-at-home mom for 7-8 years. Jennifer grew up all over Central Texas with her Papa as her greatest influence. He inspired her to join the Army, where she was on active duty for 8 years. Jennifer has been happily married to her husband since April of 2020. In her free time, Jennifer uses photography as a hobby to relax and calm her PTSD, as well as going to the beach and fishing. She has a 15-year-old son, as well as a dog and a cat. She took in her dog as a rescue and dedicated lots of time and energy to teach her how to be a member of the family, lay on the couch, and cuddle. Jennifer’s favorite part about working in the veterinary office is being able to watch patients grow from puppy to adulthood, and watching them grow into their big personalities no matter how small they might be in size.

“There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing the pet’s excitement to see you when they come for an appointment.”

Mollie

Mollie's Bio
Bio coming soon!

Tarryn

Tarryn's Bio

Bio coming soon!

We treat pets like family.

The Acton Animal Hospital team is always here to provide care to you and your pet when you need it most.
We are available to answer your questions and meet your needs throughout our business day.

Please reach out to us through one of the following means:

Hours

Monday: 7:30am – 7:00pm
Tuesday: 7:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 7:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 7:30am – 5:30pm
(Closed Thursday 12:00pm-1:30pm)
Friday: 7:30am – 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed

Location

2900 Fall Creek Highway
Granbury, TX 76049
Click here for direction.

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