Vet's staffer goes above and beyond

I just love writing about good people, and the person I'm writing about today is not only a good person but someone who goes above and beyond what is expected.

//

Trish Gobel is a young lady who works at Martinez Animal Hospital with Dr. Grayson Brown. It is because of her that my dog, Sandy, loves going to the vet. I walk her into the office, she sees Trish and her whole body begins to wag, starting with the tail and going all the way up to her neck.

Trish has many outside interests. She teaches spin classes at the Marshall Family Y in Evans and at the Augusta Country Club. She even offers personal training classes to those who need it. She has a teenage daughter and a son in middle school. She is in training to run a triathalon.

Keep in mind: All of these activities are done while holding down a full-time job at the animal hospital.

You might say to yourself, "That's great, but not really going above and beyond." It's her heart and goodness that puts her in a class above.

During the past 10 years, I have had to put down two very old dogs and Trish was right there with me holding my hand. She has given me her cell number to call any time I need help with Sandy, and I have called her several times with great results.

Once I was at the office paying a bill. Sandy had stayed with Tommy's three dogs while I was away for a weekend. In talking to Trish, I told her it was going to be difficult to get Sandy because the other dogs would want to go, too, especially Georgia, who is huge. She offered to help and met me at Tommy's house to rescue Sandy.

The last time I went to the beach and boarded Sandy with them, I returned home early on a Sunday and called Trish to see if she was by any chance going to the hospital to feed the dogs so I could meet her there and pick Sandy up. Well, she wasn't planning on going, but insisted on meeting me there anyway. Know of any other person who would go out of their way like that?

When I arrived at the hospital, there was another couple waiting, too. They were boarding their dog who had diabetes, and they were also anxious to get her home.

I have never seen Trish without a smile on her face. I have never talked to Trish without her offering some type of help I might need. When it comes to my dog, I have never hesitated to call her. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. We could definitely use more Trishes in the world.

(Pat Fickle is a Martinez resident.)