Friendly and helpful people
Meet our professional staff
Alec Flaum, DVM
I was born and raised in the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York. My love for veterinary medicine was kindled at the first visit to a veterinarian with our adopted puppies when I was twelve years old. I realized that veterinary medicine combined my fascination with biology with my love of animals and would allow me to serve my community.
After high school I received my Bachelor of Science in biology from Cornell University and graduated from the College of Veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1989. I practiced in a couple mixed animal practices in New York for several years before deciding to move closer to my wife’s family in St. Louis. We moved to St. Louis and I joined the Columbia Animal Hospital in 1993.
I practiced as an associate with Dr. McCrosky until purchasing the hospital in 2001. It’s been very rewarding to have built relationships with clients over the years and an honor to treat and care for so many wonderful pets. Columbia- Waterloo has been a wonderful place to raise our sons , Dan and Nate, and our many dogs, cats, birds, and fish.
I’m very proud of our accomplished staff and the level of care we provide. I look forward to seeing familiar faces (many fuzzier than others) and meeting new people and pets.
Kelley
My tenure with the Columbia Animal Hospital began in 1995. I have been a member of the Client Care team since then and am currently the team leader.
My favorite story is about a dog named Chief. He came to us with a urinary obstruction and in terrible pain. Chief needed surgery to relieve it. His owners were very distraught because they could not afford surgery and authorized his euthanasia. When Dr. Flaum went to euthanatize Chief, he found that he was now dribbling urine and moments later passed the obstruction and was able to urinate again! When I made the phone call back to the owners, who by that time thought Chief was gone, and told them he was fine, they were overjoyed. For the rest of his life they cooked him a special diet or bought special food to avoid another situation like that. Chief enjoyed another nine years of life with his very loving and devoted family.
Teresa
My dogs, Maggie and Cosette, have been patients of Dr. Flaum’s for many years.
I started working here in 2007 as a member of the Client Care Team. I like greeting clients and their pets because they feel like member’s of my family for a few minutes while they are here. It’s great working here because Dr. Flaum and Kelley along with my other co-workers create a fun and compassionate environment in which to work.
I love it when people name their pets “Roscoe”. It makes me think of Roscoe P. Coltrane from the “Dukes of Hazzard”. It makes me smile.
Nona
2002 is when I joined the Columbia Animal Hospital team. I order and maintain the inventory and as an avowed "bean counter" it suits my personality well. I enjoy meeting clients and their pets. The staff is great to be with and the atmosphere is relaxed. I don’t know how it could be any other way when you are spending time with animals.
All three of my pets are a result of my connection with CAH. Perdita was a stray Doberman mix that was living at the hospital until she asked to go home with me. Nelson, a greyhound mix,joined the family from the Humane Society of Monroe County at the beginning of 2009. Stella, a cat also from the HSMC, was found to be positive for the feline immunodeficiency virus and needed a home with no other cats. She’s my first cat and she’s great!
Jeff
I started working at CAH when I was sixteen in 2007 and continued through the rest of high school. After my first year of college I transferred to a school closer to home and stated working here again.
Any time I talk about my dogs, I explain how pitiful they are. They put up a tough front and are very protective (seriously, just ask the mail lady) but if they catch a sign that I want to clip their nails I can count on a quarter of an hour struggle. It's known around the hospital that my dogs are considered chickens about getting their nails clipped and I get jokes about it when other dogs sit nice and still for nail trimming.
I can honestly say I love my job. Each and every day is different than the other. I enjoy being around animals and plan to continue in the veterinary profession. I find great joy in helping to treat pets. It's comforting being a small part of many families' lives by being a part of their pet's life.
Jessica
I’ve been working at CAH since August of 2009. I started as a veterinary technician extern and became an employee in late October. I love my job as a veterinary technician and nurse because it allows me to work with animals and help them when in need. I see sick patients daily and it puts a smile on my face when I see them healthy again, knowing I played a part. Working at CAH is enjoyable because we all care greatly for our patients and treat every pet as if it were our own.
I have two cats, Bailey and Toby. I miss them being kittens. I would walk into the room and they would come running. Each would pick a leg and both crawl up my pants leg and make me hold them at the same time.
Matt
I have been employed at the Columbia Animal Hospital since the Fall of 2007. I started as a kennel assistant and now also help out as an exam room assistant.
My pets are two dogs, Duke and Henry. I really enjoy bringing Henry with me to my family’s farm. He helps me cut grass and fish. Mostly, Henry likes sniffing around finding things.
I love my job because I’m getting to work with animals and gain experience and knowledge in the career I wish to pursue. I plan to go to college and veterinary medical school.
Joan
I became a member of the nurse team at CAH in the winter of 2006. I enjoy the work (both the sadness and happiness) with all the pets I have helped treat.
One of my fondest memories is of a little nondescript tabby cat named Petunia who happened to be my first pet as a child. She allowed me to dress her in doll clothes and cary her about. She tolerated it for a while, then when she had enough she would scamper away. I always have a soft spot for little grey tabby cats... and pugs,too!
Barbara
Hi, I’m Barb Brown and I’ve been working for the Columbia Animal Hospital for 25 years. I take care of housekeeping during the night after the hospital is closed.
My favorite pet is my young German shepherd, Diago. We trained him to do search and rescue. Now when we give his evening treat of a pig ear, he will take it outside and hide it himself and we have to go looking for it. Makes you wonder who is training whom, doesn’t it?
I enjoy being a part of the staff because Dr. Flaum and all the other staff members are so dedicated, caring and friendly. It really makes for a comfortable surrounding for our clients and their pets.