MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) has hired Christine Puskaric as their new shelter veterinarian. 

Puskaric has nearly 20 years of experience in her field and has extensive knowledge in medical and surgical procedures, preventative care, after-hours emergency consultations, fostering, and educating pet owners on general care. Puskaric was the Medical Director/Veterinarian for Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary from 2018 to 2023. In this role, her responsibilities included examining, diagnosing, and treating sanctuary dogs, conducting general surgery, formulating diet plans, acting as a liaison for visiting doctors, training staff in physical therapy modalities, and serving on the foster committee for dog placement. She also developed medical and physical therapy departments and guided in building a full-service veterinary hospital.   

Puskaric held various veterinarian roles. Before founding Middle Tennessee Veterinary Center in 2023, she worked in small animal practice for 11 years and then opened her veterinary hospital in 2012. She moved to Tennessee in 2018 to provide affordable, high-quality veterinary care. Her special interests are in geriatric pets. 

She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1995, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2001, a Canine Rehabilitation Certification in 2022, and has numerous affiliations.

“We are beyond excited about Dr. Puskaric joining our team! Having such a tremendous talent coming to Montgomery County Animal Care and Control is just an amazing step for our organization. Our agency has grown and made tremendous improvements to keep up with that growth both internally and externally. Adding Dr. Puskaric to our team will further expand our capabilities to not only our animals but our community,” said Director of Animal Care and Control Dave Kaske.

The responsibilities of the shelter veterinarian include providing medical care for animals, overseeing shelter healthcare, maintaining records, perform surgeries, implementing disease prevention programs, providing emergency medical treatment, evaluating and supporting animals affected by cruelty and neglect, offering health information to adopters, managing medical supplies and inventory, maintaining certifications, and providing guidance to shelter staff. 

Puskaric joined the team in September and is gradually transitioning from her current practice to the MCACC facility. Her role is integral to the shelter operations, focusing on bringing veterinary care and spay/neuter services in-house, as well as developing new services and initiatives at the new facility. Puskaric will temporarily operate in the new MCACC mobile coach around November until the shelter relocates to its new facility in the fall of 2025.

“I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the animal care and control team.  The new medical department will have an incredible impact on the animals in our care and I am thrilled to be on the ground floor of its development,” said Puskaric. 

She currently resides with her husband Steve and their collection of rescued dogs, cats, and horses. 

For information about the Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, visit https://mcgtn.org/animal-control. 

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Family Fun at Rotary Park with Free Shuttle 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the return of its Fall Festival, a day of family fun and seasonal festivities that are free and open to the public! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rotary Park, located at 2308 Rotary Park Drive, with activities sponsored by Fortera Credit Union. 

This year’s Fall Festival is packed with fun for all ages, featuring pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, Halloween crafts, creepy crawlers, and much more. Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy a spooky, fun-filled day. A variety of food and drinks will be available for purchase from food vendors: Kadi's Tacos and More, Bondi Bowls, Pop and Dogs, and Blondie and Brownie. 

About Fall Festival 
The Annual Fall Festival is a celebration of the season, offering a variety of autumn-themed activities that bring the community together. Sponsored by Fortera Credit Union, the festival encourages families to enjoy outdoor fun, creative arts, and safe Halloween traditions. Now in its fourth year, the event continues to grow, providing entertainment and engagement for residents of all ages. 

Parking and Shuttle Information 
To ensure a smooth and convenient experience for attendees, parking for the event will be located at Clarksville High School at 151 Richview Road. From there, a free shuttle service will be available to transport guests to and from Rotary Park throughout the event, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last shuttle will leave Rotary Park at 3:15 p.m., ensuring everyone has plenty of time to enjoy the festival. 

ADA-accessible parking will also be available at the parking site, Clarksville High School, and within Rotary Park itself for those who require it. It is encouraged that attendees take advantage of the shuttle service to avoid traffic congestion and enjoy a stress-free trip to the festival. 

For more information about the Fall Festival and to stay updated, follow Montgomery County Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website at www.mcgtn.org/parks. 

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Archives open for tours in October 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – American Archives Month is underway, and the Montgomery County Archives Department is excited to celebrate. Located at 350 Pageant Lane, suite 101-D in Veterans Plaza, the Archives Department welcomes the public to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the stories of Montgomery County are preserved. Tours will occur on Wednesday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone who tours the Archives can also view the newest exhibit called Progression of Leadership: From Judge to Mayor. This collection showcases the office of the County Mayor and how it evolved from the position of County Judge, and the individuals who held the office over the years.

“We are grateful for our Archives Department and the staff that continue to serve Montgomery County. Preserving and understanding our history helps us to improve as we navigate the future,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

“The records and manuscript collections at the Montgomery County Archives are rich with historical information and can teach us so much about our community. While we care for the records, they really belong to the people of Montgomery County, and we are very excited to share them with the public. Archives are for everyone, and we welcome those interested in learning more about our history to pay us a visit,” said Archives Director Sarah Fry. 

Created by the County Board of Commissioners in January 1995, the Archives Department serves as the official repository for county records. It operates under Tennessee State law and the direction of the Montgomery County Public Records Commission. 

The Archives entrance is on the Crossland Avenue side of Veterans Plaza in Clarksville at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-D. Archives hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can reach Archives by email at [email protected] or by calling 931-553-5159.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Veterans Service Office (MCVSO) will close Monday, Sept. 30 through Wednesday, Oct. 2 while the staff attends mandatory service officer training in Chattanooga, TN. 

All veterans service officers credentialed by the Tennessee Department of Veteran Services must attend the conference and pass the exam following the training, to remain credentialed. The office will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m. 

For more information on the MCVSO, visit https://mcgtn.org/vso.

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Last Edited: September 25, 2024 @ 9:34 am

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TENN. – On Saturday, September 21, 2024, "Operation Lightning Strike," a large-scale casualty training exercise, was conducted at Tennova Healthcare's campus on Dunlop Lane. This event was organized and facilitated by Daniel Wall and Scott E. Smith, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Planner, and featured a collaborative effort with around 500 participants.

The exercise involved various agencies, including the Clarksville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Homeland Security, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Emergency Management Agency, Clarksville Fire Rescue, Mont. Co. Volunteer Fire, Risk Management, City and County E-911 call takers and dispatchers.  Medical services such as Montgomery County EMS, Vanderbilt, First Call, Amerimed Ambulance, Vanderbilt Life Flight, and Air Evac Helicopter service, along with members of TRANE all contributed to the operation's success.

APSU nursing students played a critical role, using moulage techniques and simulated blood to create fake injuries that enhanced the realism of the exercise. Various first responders and law enforcement personnel coordinated responses from mobile command centers while training officers from multiple agencies ensured the safety of all participants.

After the exercise, members gathered at the main meeting point for a hot wash debriefing.  A "hot wash" is an immediate, informal debriefing session following an exercise or training event, where participants and leaders discuss the activity while it is still fresh in everyone's minds. The goal is to quickly evaluate performance, gather feedback, and identify lessons learned. These discussions help capture key insights on what went well, what didn't, and how things can be improved in the future.  

These types of drills are vital to ensure the preparedness and coordination of local emergency services. It helps to identify potential issues, refine emergency response strategies, and improve coordination among agencies, providing a valuable opportunity to enhance readiness for real emergencies.

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