A dedicated leader in his profession, Dr. Hechko has served as President and Board Member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and he currently represents the organization as a delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). His commitment to animal health and veterinary excellence is also reflected in his role on the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Zoo Society, where he collaborates with zoo leadership and donors to support animal welfare, education, and conservation efforts.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Hechko is passionate about animal care and deeply values the special bond we share with our pets. He believes in the power of the human-animal connection and is dedicated to supporting the lifelong health and happiness of the pets in our community. It is especially important to him to lead a veterinary practice that focuses on compassionate care, wellness, and client education—creating an environment where pets receive the highest quality of care and families feel supported and empowered in their roles as pet owners.
Dr. Hechko and his wife, Dr. Jen, are proud members of the Northeast Ohio community. Dr. Jen is a pediatric dentist and owner of Brecksville Kids Dentistry, a local practice known not only for its exceptional care but also for its warm, welcoming atmosphere. The practice includes two therapy dogs, who help ease the stress of dental visits for young patients—an innovative approach that reflects the couple’s shared belief in the healing and calming power of animals.
They are proud parents of three children: Alexander, Benjamin, and Catherine. Dr. Hechko actively supports his children’s athletic and personal development, cheering them on at soccer and lacrosse games and serving as an assistant Scout leader, particularly involved in guiding his sons on their path toward Eagle Scout.
He is also active in supporting his children and other youth in the North Royalton Homesteaders 4-H group. Through his involvement, Dr. Hechko helps instill the core values of 4-H—Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These principles encourage young people to develop leadership, responsibility, compassion, and practical skills in agriculture and beyond. By engaging in hands-on learning and community involvement, 4-H participants grow into capable, confident, and service-minded individuals—values that closely align with Dr. Hechko’s own commitment to family, education, and local engagement.
In his spare time, Dr. Hechko enjoys farming with his family and spending time outdoors. Whether cultivating their land, supporting local programs, or simply exploring nature together, he values the opportunity to live, work, and give back alongside his family.
Dr. Shivak’s professional interests include preventative care, nutrition, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. She believes in the importance of proactive, personalized care to help pets live their healthiest lives. She especially enjoys new puppy and kitten exams—and she’s always excited to see your favorite pet photos!
Beyond her work at the hospital, Dr. Shivak serves as a board member for Padua Franciscan High School’s MedTrack program, where she mentors future healthcare professionals and gives insight on how to prepare students who have interest in veterinary medicine. She also spends her time giving back to the community by providing an additional surgery day each week at a nonprofit organization. In this role, she performs spays/neuters for pets in need to decrease overpopulation and end pet homelessness.
Dr. Shivak is just as active outside of work— as a Boston Marathoner, she has qualified for and ran multiple marathons throughout the United States. She loves staying active through running and spending time outdoors. Her goal is to one day complete the six World Marathon Majors. She loves to spend time with friends and family, and feels energized by weekend plans. Additionally, she enjoys all things Cleveland sports. At home, she shares life with her chocolate lab, Maple, her cat, Hazelnut, a spirited, senior rabbit named Russell, and her human named Nate.
Whether she’s in the clinic or out socializing, Dr. Shivak brings energy, compassion, and dedication to everything she does—always working to support the well-being of animals and the people who love them.
After returning to the States, Dr. Travis earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin. Throughout her training and career, she has focused on internal medicine, nutrition, and multimodal pain management. Dr. Travis’s passion for pain management led her to become a published author in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, contributing to peer reviewed research focused on enhancing the comfort and well-being of veterinary patients.
As an active member of the Cuyahoga Valley Golden Retriever Club, Dr. Travis volunteers at health clinics that screen for common conditions that affect golden retrievers. Through this work, she collaborates with specialists, breeders, and pet families to promote early diagnosis, responsible breeding practices, and lifelong health management. Her knowledge and experience make her a trusted resource for golden retriever owners seeking expert, breed-specific veterinary care.
Dr. Travis lives in Avon Lake with her husband who is an attorney, their two golden retrievers, and beloved senior cat. Outside the clinic, she enjoys competing in canine dock diving, attending local theater productions, and traveling to tropical destinations.
Dr. Travis is proud to serve the Northeast Ohio community and is honored to be a trusted veterinary partner in your pet’s lifelong health.
When not at work, Dr. Singleton can be found with her husband exploring the local neighborhood hangouts and wandering through National Parks. Their shelter pups, Ducky and Koda, sometimes get to join, too. Recommend a fun, new restaurant for their next date night, especially if it's dog-friendly! At home, Dr. Singleton and her husband can be found snuggling with their cats and cooking new dishes.
Dr. Singleton also shares her time and knowledge with the Cleveland City Kennel to help the city's homeless dogs find loving homes.
Dr. Wood earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University and has since built a diverse career in small animal general practice, equine medicine and small animal emergency medicine, and general small animal practice. She is also completing certification as a Working Dog Practitioner through The PennVet Working Dog Center, focusing on the specialized care of working K9s, service animals, and guide dogs in law enforcement, military, search and rescue, and other critical roles.
Her professional interests include emergency medicine, palliative care, canine behavior, and fitness conditioning to improve both the quality and longevity of dogs’ lives. Dr. Wood is passionate about getting to know her patients and their human families, understanding their unique needs, and delivering the most personalized care possible.
Known for her calm demeanor, clear communication, and empathy, Dr. Wood is committed to supporting both animal health and the human-animal bond.
Outside of her veterinary work, Dr. Wood enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, and reading, and is the proud mom of two teenage kids. She brings the same curiosity, compassion, and dedication to her personal life as she does to her veterinary practice.
Dr. Swiger is passionate about delivering gold standard care to companion animals, with a special focus on dogs and cats. She has a strong interest in wildlife rehabilitation and has previously interned at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, where she cared for injured wildlife and helped nurse them back to health for release into the wild.
Her professional interests include shelter medicine, preventative care, dermatology, internal medicine, cardiology, and surgery. Dr. Swiger has gained valuable surgical experience in spays, neuters, pyometras, mass removals, dentistry, enucleation, and tail amputations. While she values the hands-on opportunities shelter medicine provides, she thrives on building lasting relationships with clients and their pets in general practice.
Committed to lifelong learning and compassionate care, Dr. Swiger is Fear Free Certified, Low Stress Handling Certified, and a Feline Friendly Practitioner. She is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), and VetGirl.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Swiger enjoys spending time with her husband, Ronnie, and their son, Leo. She loves being outdoors—whether it’s biking, running, or walking with her family. In her quieter moments, she finds joy in drawing and journaling.
