Tom Furman, D.V.M., M.S., Owner and Veterinarian

Dr. Tom Furman practices large and small animal medicine, with special interest in surgery, equine dentistry and beef cattle management.
Dr. Tom graduated from Kansas State Veterinary School in 2004. After graduation he went on a traveling internship for one and a half years. He spent three months in Las Vegas doing primarily small animal surgery with several board certified surgeons. The surgeries included knee, hip, fracture, and soft tissue surgeries. He worked at the Oklahoma City Sale Barn pregnancy testing cattle and then went on to Redcloud, Nebraska for training in multiple food animal surgeries and industry procedures. Dr. Tom spent time in Canada where he worked with a large feedlot consulting practice that serviced 35 feedlots in the area. While Dr. Tom was in the Great White North, he also gained extensive training in equine dentistry from the veterinarian that invented the powerfloat. Back in the States, Dr. Tom practiced at Littleton Equine Medical Center, a prestigious equine hospital in Colorado. He gained special training in colic management, lameness evaluation, and treatment. From there, he went to Piedmont, South Dakota to do some reproductive work that included artificial insemination, semen collection, and embryo transfer with cattle and horses. Dr. Tom brought all of his experiences back to Alliance in June of 2005 and has put his knowledge into practice for the benefit of his clients, both large and small. Dr. Tom currently holds veterinary licenses in the states of Nebraska, Wyoming, Nevada, and South Dakota. He has a Beef Cattle Management Certification from the University of Nebraska, serves on the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Board of Directors, and on the Box Butte General Hospital Board of Directors. Dr. Tom graduated with a Masters Degree in Epidemiology from The University of Nebraska in December 2014. He also received the Young Veterinarian Of The Year award from Kansas State University for his contributions to veterinary medicine through practice and education. Dr. Tom enjoys practicing veterinary medicine, educating clients, and operating a cattle ranch with with his dad in Alliance.

Lindsay Lawreck, D.V.M.

My journey to becoming a veterinarian started at the age of 5 when I told my parents that I was going to be Free Willy’s doctor. I have always felt a special connection to animals, wanting to rescue and save any species I came across. My parents love to tell the story about the time I accidentally ran over a garter snake with the lawn mower and cried about not being able to save it. Though the dream of being Free Willy’s personal veterinarian hasn’t come to fruition (yet!), I realized at an early age that I wanted a career in medicine and have pursued that passion ever since.

Originally from New Jersey, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I attended veterinary school at Auburn University, graduated in 2019, and am a diehard Auburn Tigers fan (WAR EAGLE!) I spent 9 weeks at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in Hannover, Germany learning and practicing avian, reptile, and exotic small mammal medicine. I also spend one afternoon each week at the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff providing veterinary care to the zoo animals.

I joined The Animal Center in 2019 and have really enjoyed the challenge and variety that each day in a mixed animal practice brings. When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling, reading, watching sports, and spending time with my menagerie of pets. My wife, Kayla, and I share our home with our two dogs and four cats. We also have two popcorn-loving guinea pigs and a hedgehog with a particularly prickly personality!

Michelle Hunter, Receptionist and Billing Specialist

My love for animals has been a lifelong passion of mine so the decision to start working at the clinic was an easy one. I have learned so many new things since starting here that have made me appreciate what the veterinarians and technicians do so much more.

I love that each day is different and a new adventure. My coworkers have definitely turned into family (especially all the ladies in the front office) and I am excited to see what the future holds. I truly believe we should live each day as if it were our last!

My husband Travis is a farmer for Green Acres and we have an adorable white schnauzer at home named Casper. Family (and friends) are a huge part of my life and we enjoy spending time with them any chance we get. My husband is an avid drag racer, I am on a bowling team and I also love cooking for my loved ones.

Dani Conner, Receptionist and Large Animal Specialist

My black lab mix, Colt, can tell you I am a HUGE animal lover. I also consider myself a people person, so when the opportunity to work at the clinic presented itself, I was thrilled to take advantage of the opportunity.

I firmly believe that you should treat others how you want to be treated and this resonates through so many others at the clinic that I really consider my coworkers like family. Even though my educational background revolves around early childhood education, I truly enjoy working with both the amazing clients and pets that come to The Animal Center.

Malia Wellmann, Veterinary Technician

My family always said I would become Dr. Doolittle...My love and passion for animals runs deep. As a technician, I love that no day is ever the same and I have the opportunity to help make animals that are sick well again and help prevent animals from becoming sick with the right wellness care. Some days we have mysteries that we have to solve, but finding the answer is so rewarding.

I graduated from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis where I studied Veterinary Technician and Equine Industry Management.

Working smarter, not harder is one of my personal philosophies as well as that you have to be 2% smarter than what you are working with. My husband Nick and I have two children, Arkaya and Nickoli as well as three dogs, Carley, Abby and Letty and two cats, Jebe and Mama Kitty. My daughter Arkaya just took on her first bottle calf adventure to add to our pack.

Jazlyn Garza, Veterinary Technician

Knowing that I have the ability to save people’s furry family members is what motivates me each day. Getting to know the clients is a true honor and I truly feel that they become a part of my family. Being able to work with animals has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid.

I truly try to live life to the fullest and never give up. These values have been instilled in me in part from my wonderful family including my parents, two sisters, one brother. My four dogs, Boomer, Kodah, Mya, and Xena are also a huge part of my family.

My other passions include spending time with my nieces and nephew and going to the gym.

Cassie Steggall, Office Manager

Prior to working at The Animal Center, I had no experience with animals and had never had a pet of my own. It did not take me long to see how pets are family and the unique bond that exists between people and animals. While I do not work directly with the animals, I care deeply for our clients (and their animals) and will go the extra mile to care for our “family” (clients and patients included).

My previous work experience as well as my work at the clinic has always included marketing. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

My husband Matt and I have four children, Bryson, Owen, Quin and Allison. We also have two ornery heelers, Leo and Riddick. We also are slowly building our own herd of cattle and are really enjoying learning every aspect of the ranching life.