Leadership

Jenni Rizzo, DVM

Founder

Jenni Rizzo, DVM graduated from Kansas State University and moved straight to Texas, where she has lived ever since. She enjoys the friendly people, warm weather, and varied landscape of Texas and feels lucky to call Texas home. Dr. Rizzo has practiced small animal and exotic animal emergency medicine with wonderful teams in Corpus Christi at VCA Oso Creek Animal Hospital and Emergency Center and in San Antonio at Mission Pet Emergency. She has also served the community by providing free or low-cost spay and neuter services to families with financial need in both cities, through her work with shelters and specialized veterinary units.  She now practices at Friendship Pet Hospital in Schertz.

Dr. Rizzo has served as an Executive Board Member on the Board of the American Heartworm Society since 2016. Through the AHS, she founded and maintains the AHS Student Liaison Program, which identifies student leaders at veterinary schools across the US, UK, and Canada. She and the Student Liaisons ensure that all veterinary students are aware of the AHS Heartworm Treatment Guidelines and their immense bank of resources. They also organize presentations and wet labs and help solidify students’ practical knowledge of heartworm disease and prevention prior to graduation. Dr. Rizzo also assists veterinarians and the public in understanding, treating, and preventing heartworm disease by responding to inquiries submitted to the board.

Dr. Rizzo founded Lone Star Veterinary Academy, because she wasn’t satisfied the types of continuing education events she had attended in the past. It bothered her to get stuck in an overflow room, to wait in line behind hundreds of people, or to have to walk a marathon to get from one lecture to the next. She also doesn’t have the attention span to attend a long conference, when there’s a great big world waiting outside the convention center. She’d pay to attend 30 hours but make it to 10. Her goal in starting Lone Star Veterinary Academy was to create an experience that’s more productive, less stressful, and gives learners the tools they need to help a subject stick.

Dr. Rizzo couldn’t find the energy to balance so many projects, if not for her husband, Jared, and four dogs. In their free time, the whole family loves going for walks, sitting on the back porch, and taking frequent trips to Concan. Jenni’s favorite pastime is floating down the river. Jared loves visiting new towns, restaurants, or going anywhere they haven’t been before. The dogs’ favorite activities include chasing squirrels, barking at squirrels, and sleeping in between chasing and barking at squirrels.

Contact Dr. Rizzo.

Pistol Pete

Chief Executive Dog

Pistol Pete is a Black Mouth Cur mix and is Dr. Rizzo’s right-hand man. She may think she’s in charge, but he really gives the barking orders at this office. Pistol Pete was rescued by a Good Samaritan as a tiny, starving puppy in 2013. He made a heroic recovery after several nights in the hospital and has been stealing hearts ever since. He loves going to work every day and meeting new people. His jobs include: licking stamps, office doorbell, emotional support, and social media influencer. You can follow Pistol Pete on Instagram @lonestar_vetacademy , or on facebook @lonestarvetacademy.

Jared Rizzo

Jared Rizzo, Dr. Rizzo’s husband, helps with moderating and works behind the scenes throughout the year on any and all projects. Lydia N. is our resident social media extraordinaire! Joe N., Amanda M, and Debra N, assist with logistics, photography, and organization each weekend, to ensure guests are welcomed with a smooth check in process, have their questions answered, and receive everything they need. We’re grateful to have their support!

Christian Powell

Christian Powell, Christian Powell Web Design, designed our website is wonderful for answering all of our technical questions. She continually updates and improves our site, to ensure it meets the needs of our growing community.