TEXARKANA, Texas – A local veterinarian has reached a milestone achieved by only a small fraction of veterinary professionals worldwide. Dr. Stacey Swain Hendershott, owner of Pleasant Grove Animal Hospital, has been officially certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), specializing in Canine and Feline Practice.
The ABVP board certification is not a simple credential; it represents a multi-year commitment to excellence. To achieve “Diplomate” status, Dr. Hendershott had to navigate a demanding application process that requires either the completion of a residency or a minimum of five years in clinical practice. In addition, case reports, references, descriptions of practice procedures, and professional education records must be submitted and pass review. It was then requried for Dr. Hendershott to sit for an eight hour examination.
Only around 900 veterinarians worldwide are certified in one of ABVP’s eleven practice categories.
Dr. Hendershott is a familiar face to many in Texarkana. A 2000 graduate of Texas High School, she pursued her passion for animal science at Oklahoma State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in 2004 and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2007 at Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Returning to her hometown, she has spent the last 16 years serving pets and their owners at Pleasant Grove Animal Hospital. This new certification ensures that local pet owners have access to a level of specialized care that is recognized on a global scale.