Please Note: We will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th in observance of Christmas!

meet the team!

Our Veterinary Team

Welcome to Tchefuncte Animal Hospital! Our veterinary team looks forward to meeting you. Learn more about us below.

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Team

About Tchefuncte Animal Hospital’s Veterinary Team

Tchefuncte Animal Hospital welcomes you and all of your pets to our veterinary hospital in Madisonville, Louisiana. At our hospital, Dr. David Moores and Dr. Laura Ferrara provide comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats.

Dr. Laura Ferrara, DVM - Medicine & Surgery

Dr. Ferrara has been a resident of St. Tammany since 2003 after graduating from LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine. She was born and raised in Baton Rouge and attended St. Joseph’s Academy and Louisiana State University. Dr. Ferrara has been practicing small animal medicine and surgery in Mandeville/Madisonville since graduation.

Dr. Ferrara and her husband, Joe, a dentist, have enjoyed living in Madisonville with their children, Rebecca and Noah, and their two dogs and two cats. She is an active member of St. Anselm Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Dr. Ferrara loves music and the arts, and she was a member of the LSU Golden Band from Tigerland for three years. She loves spending time with her family and friends, especially when cheering on the Tigers and Saints!

Dr. David Moores, DVM - Medicine & Surgery

Education

Dr. Moores is a Covington native who attended St. Paul High School and Mississippi State University. He then attended LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2003. Since graduating from LSU, Dr. Moores has worked in a small animal private practice, emergency medicine, and surgery. Before opening Tchefuncte Animal Hospital in 2008, he worked at a veterinary specialty referral and critical care hospital in Metairie.

Personal

Dr. Moores, his wife Celeste, and two children live in Covington, along with their two dogs. He is an active member of Trinity Church of Covington and enjoys cycling, running, paddle boarding, and swimming. He has completed several marathons and half/full-Ironman races. Dr. Moores loves spending time with his wife, son, and daughter and can often be found on the river or fishing with them. Dr. Moores is also a long-suffering Saints fan who was finally redeemed but now wants another championship!

Dr. Rachel Schott, DVM - Medicine & Surgery

Dr. Rachel Schott was born and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana. She graduated from West Monroe High School in 2013. From there, she attended Louisiana State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a minor in business administration. After receiving her degree, Dr. Schott could not let go of her passion for animals. She decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. She graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2023 and is very excited to meet you and your beloved pets here at Tchefuncte Animal Hospital.

Dr. Schott now resides in Covington, LA with her husband, Tyler, and their three dogs, Bella, Maggie, and Sarge. In her free time, Dr. Schott enjoys cooking and hosting gatherings at her house. She also loves to travel, and never misses an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. She is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, and the Florida Parishes Veterinary Medical Association.

pet wellness
Marrisa Henley, Practice Manager
Marrisa is a passionate Veterinary Practice Manager with a deep commitment to animal welfare. She joined our team in February of 2024 and came with previous experience in the animal industry. She started her career in 2018 as a client service representative, kennel tech, and veterinary technician, and then became a veterinary practice manager in 2020. She ensures the smooth operation of our hospital while fostering a supportive and positive environment for both our team members and our beloved patients. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her pets, gardening, reading, or seeing live music with friends! Pictured with her is her first pet she adopted in 2016, Oliver Winston.
Madisen Smith, Veterinarian Technician

Bio Coming Soon!

Madelin Thigpen, Veterinarian Technician

Madelin has been a veterinary technician at Tchefuncte Animal Hospital since Febuary 2022. Madelin is very passionate about many things, especially getting to use her skills to help pets in need. Madelin has a special place in her heart for Shih Tzus and is holding her sweet boy Falcor in the image above. In her free time, Madelin likes to write, game, and explore nature with an appreciation for biology. She is very thankful for all Tchefuncte continues to teach her and will carry this with her in the future.

Monique Threeton, Veterinarian Technician

Bio Coming Soon!

Jacie Little, Veterinarian Technician
Jacie is a dedicated professional with a lifelong passion for animals. She began her career as a kennel technician and quickly advanced to become a kennel manager before transitioning into a skilled vet tech. With a particular fondness for dachshunds, Jacie has cherished these dogs as companions throughout her life, including her sweet girl, Cheerio.

Beyond her career, Jacie enjoys the vibrant atmosphere of concerts and finds solace in nature. She also enjoys gaming as a hobby. These interests reflect her well-rounded personality, blending her love for animals with a vibrant enthusiasm for life’s adventures.

Jacie is committed to ensuring that every patient receives the best care and comfort possible, a testament to her dedication in the field of veterinary care.

Karen, Veterinarian Technician
Karen has been passionate about animals for as long as she can remember! Karen’s passion for animals evolved into a passion for animal rescue stemming from her time working for an animal shelter for nearly a decade before pursuing a career as a veterinary technician. She is currently in school to become a registered veterinary technician. Karen has three beloved rescue animals; one cat and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, live music, and cooking. We are delighted to have Karen on our team, she is devoted to providing the best care for our patients and helping the team!
Jersey, Veterinary Assistant
Jersey has been a Veterinary Assistant at Tchefuncte Animal Hospital since April 2024. She is passionate about helping animals in need as well as furthering her education. She strives to be the best Veterinary Assistant she can be for each patient and to support her team! Dachshunds are Jersey’s favorite dog breed, pictured with Jersey is her dog Suggie! In her free time Jersey enjoys going to the river with friends or family, spending time with her horse, and watching Netflix. Jersey has been a wonderful addition to our team, and we are thrilled to help support her in her goal to become a Veterinarian Technician!
Megan Mailfald, Reception

Bio Coming Soon!

Melissa, Reception
Melissa joined our team in May as our newest Customer Service Representative! Melissa is very passionate about all animals, big and small, and treats each animal she encounters as her own. She has a special place in her heart for rescues and has 6 herself! Pictured with her is her sweet senior girl, Sookie Stackhouse. In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, painting, watching LSU Football (Go Tigers !), swimming, and Sunday Fun-days! We are thrilled to have her on our team, Melissa has not missed a beat in helping our team make a difference in animal care!
Maylin, Groomer
Meet Maylin, a passionate groomer with over five years of experience in the pet care industry. With a keen eye for detail and a love for all things furry, Maylin has transformed countless pups into their most fabulous selves. As a proud dog parent to a rescue dog named Isadora, she understands the unique needs and quirks of every pet, ensuring that every grooming session is not only enjoyable but also tailored to each animal’s personality.

Maylin’s love for animals goes beyond grooming—she is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets, using gentle techniques and high-quality products. When not at the grooming salon, you can find her volunteering at local shelters, advocating for animal rescue, or enjoying outdoor adventures with Isadora.

We proudly serve the pets in Madisonville, LA, and beyond.

It is our mission to partner with our clients to nurture and preserve the human-animal bond by providing compassionate, expert, and affordable veterinary. We see patients from communities all over, including Covington, Mandeville, and St. Tammany Parish.