The People Project:
Kathleen Elstrott Achord
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | November 6, 2021
Meet Kathleen Elstrott Achord!
Kathleen was born and raised in Ponchatoula. She is an only child, but had many pet siblings growing up. She attended Ponchatoula schools, then transferred to the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts where she graduated in 2003. She received her bachelors from Louisiana State University in Animal Science and went to Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She joined the Army and practiced as a veterinarian in Florida for over 3 years. Then she decided to move home. She is very involved in the community, she is in the Ponchatoula Rotary Club, The Ponchatoula American Legion, she is the President-Elect for the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, and is the veterinary advisor for Tangi Animal Friends. She met Jason, her husband, online and they went to Tommy's on Thomas for their first date. They were there for hours!
We want to thank Kathleen for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I am an only child, and I took naps on the floor with our pets. I played with cats like they were baby dolls. I grew up knowing I was going to do something with animals.
After I moved back from Florida, I joined a local private practice. Then in 2019, I accepted a position at the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter. I chose to be a shelter/rescue veterinarian because when you walk through a crowded shelter in Louisiana and know there is a time limit placed on an animal's life for no other reason than space, I knew I had to do something more than private practice. I also started Kat Vet at the same time. Kat Vet is a spay, neuter and rescue mission to promote and provide affordable veterinary resources to enhance the lives of Tangipahoa Parish residents and beyond. We rescue, foster and hold adoption events. We opened up a storefront in downtown Ponchatoula where people like to watch the kittens and cats play and sleep. We put our events on our Facebook page, so if anyone is looking to adopt or foster we can chat with you and get you set up.
People are always asking how they can help us, and if you cannot adopt or foster, we do have an Amazon Wish List.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I like The Mariner's Inn and I order the Kickin' Chicken.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Road-tripping with my parents. I honestly don't remember the destinations, but Dad always took the scenic routes and we would stop at all those little trails and historic landmarks.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: The Bahamas to swim with pigs.
Q: What is your favorite television show? What is the first movie you saw in the theater?
A: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite show. I cannot remember the first movie I saw, but the last movie I saw in a theater was Avengers with Jason.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Spay and neuter your pets! Adopt, don't shop!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Swim with the pigs!
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met and is alive today, who is it and where would you go?
A: Dr. Jeff from the Rocky Mountain Vet show on Animal Planet. We would spend the day spaying and neutering animals then walk to Roux & Brew for lunch.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The small town feel.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: What I am doing now, here at Kat Vet.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I originally wanted to be a pig vet. When I joined the Army, I had to shift it to being a small animal vet.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Ponchatoula.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A chauffeur!
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Pizza!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to fiction audio books.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: I gave Jason a Fitbit, and he gave me a Roomba.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being a veterinarian.
Q: What is your favorite 90’s jam?
A: It has to be something by The Backstreet Boys.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Be able to look at an animal and spay or neuter them.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Volunteering and dining with friends and family.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The cat with hearts in its eyes.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: Saving lives at Kat Vet.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: Jason and Blossom, the dog I rescued from the Terrebonne Shelter. She was found in someone's trunk. I believe she is about 15 years old, and the best dog.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would build a new facility to provide a shelter to places where they do not have a shelter and have it fully staffed with veterinarians and techs. I would buy a new Suburban. Lastly, I would pay off my house and all my friends and family's houses.
Kathleen was nominated by Tiffiney Lavergne
She nominated JoyBeth Moll
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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