Lead Veterinarian
Dr. Mendise's journey in veterinary medicine began when she graduated in 2008. In the initial phase of her career, she worked at a slower-paced small animal hospital, focusing on building her knowledge base and communication skills as a new graduate. Seeking a greater challenge, she joined Care First Animal Hospital after four years. Her tenure at Care First Animal Hospitalhas allowed her to continually push herself both medically and surgically. Starting at Glenwood and Oberlin, she eventually found her home base at Glenwood in 2020.
The decision to become a veterinarian was rooted in Dr. Mendise's lifelong passion. She always aspired to care for both clients and their pets, cherishing the opportunity to witness patients grow and age while assisting clients through various life stages.
Dr. Mendise's favorite aspect of her job is building lasting relationships with her clients and their pets. Outside the veterinary world, she is happily married to her husband James for 14 years, with two daughters, Lucy (8) and Olivia (2). Their household is further enriched by the presence of two wonderful cats, Scarlett (Himalayan) and Marsupial, a rescue from the SPCA. In her free time, Dr. Mendise enjoys exercising, baking, and spending quality moments with her family.
A graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, Dr. Mendise brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as Lead Veterinarian. Her favorite aspects of veterinary care include working up challenging internal medicine cases to reach a diagnosis and treating patients appropriately. She also finds great satisfaction in handling more complex surgical cases, particularly mass removals. Dr. Mendise's commitment to her patients and passion for her work make her an invaluable part of the Care First Animal Hospital at Glenwood team.