Practice Manager
Gayle Craig, CVPM
Gayle Craig joined our hospital in August of 2011. A resident of Ashburnham since 2004, she couldn't imagine living anywhere else. She and her husband Scott (whom have been friends for over 30 years), together have two very busy children Joshua and Sarah. When she is not driving her children to ice hockey, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, piano, guitar lessons or theater practice, she is singing and accompanying herself with her acoustic guitar in local venues and farmer's markets.
She is the co-leader and co-founder of her children's New Hampshire 4H Club - Hooves, Hens, Heifers and Happiness. And she and her daughter train their packgoats, Elwood, Killian and Guinness, to hike with them up local mountains. You may have seen them out together on the trail! Besides their hobby farm animals, they share their home with two conventional pets, Daisy, the most loyal of loyal family dogs, and Little Cat (self explanatory), an avid hunter, yet cuddly companion.
Gayle has been working in the veterinary field since 1989 and has been a veterinary hospital manager since 1995. Her background, though originally in communications and graphic design, led her to her true calling in the veterinary world where she often utilizes those skills, coupling them with her passion for exceptional customer service and untiring pursuit of promoting the understanding of what is progressive and outstanding veterinary care, facilitating the delivery of both to the pets of the community.
A former American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited practice of the year award recipient, Gayle is a member of the AAHA Accreditation Awareness Advisory Group, the AAHA Yearly Conference Development Committee – Management Education Workgroup, a Veterinary Hospital Manager Association (VHMA) Marketing Committee Member, a VHMA Mentor for CVPM applicants, and a founding member of the Greater Boston Veterinary Practice Managers Group. She is also an affiliate reporter for the Veterinary News Network. She is proud to have received her certification in veterinary practice management by the VHMA, earning her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) title in October of 2004.
With over 15 years experience in veterinary practice management, Gayle earned the international distinction of certified veterinary practice manager (CVPM) during her first sitting. A rigorous study requirement and in-depth, varied educational requirements in subjects such as law and ethics, psychology, leadership and economics and years experience in veterinary practice management prior to sitting for the certification test, separate a certified manager from other non-certified managers. To date there are less than 300 CVPM's in the United States and Canada. Only 78% of those who sit for the test, pass; and of that group much less pass the first time. Gayle is very proud of this title, and stays fully committed to uphold all that the CVPM certification stands for when working with her team members, with the hospital's clientele and patients and while representing Gardner Animal Care Center on a local level. She hopes to expand the representation of the GACC on a national and international level in the future by putting the town of Gardner on the map to be recognized as a premiere location for excellence in pet care.