About Us
Michaela Hulsey Wray- Sole Founder and CEO
Michaela and her husband share a little girl, two dogs (Thumper and Carl), and nine cats—all with names that start with 'O'! Before her career in veterinary medicine, she studied music education in college, where her principal instruments were trumpet and French horn, and she was a vocal tenor.
She has been in the veterinary field for 10 years as of February. She is a double-certified veterinary assistant for both large and small animals, with experience working with exotics and avian. Her career began in shelter work, where she started in the puppy department and quickly progressed through all departments, eventually
Experience
becoming the medical lead in mass spay and neuter procedures, gaining experience in kennel work and as a surgical assistant. She then moved to another general practice, where she trained as a veterinary assistant and expanded her skills to include working with large animals. Her next step was in an orthopedic practice, where she trained as an orthopedic surgical technician. Also during that time, she was an ambassador for Natural Balance Pet Foods. Later, she returned to general practice as a veterinary technician, working with exotics, avian, and rehabilitation. She then transitioned to non-profit veterinary work, gaining valuable experience in resource-limited care environments. Currently, she works in emergency medicine. Additionally, she taught a veterinary assistance class for a couple of semesters in 2016 and 2017. From 2019-2023 she owned a grooming, concierge service, pet sitting, and boarding business, Paws 4a Moment Petcare in Asheville, NC.
Thumper Levine- Barketing and Pawject Support
Thumper is a 9-year-old Puggle-Pitbull mix with a big personality and an even bigger love for carrots and enzymatic dental chews. Michaela adopted him during her first week working in shelter medicine as a 9-week-old puppy, and they have been inseparable ever since. When he’s not snoozing or demanding belly rubs, he’s busy not sharing, side-eyeing dogs bigger than him, or pestering anyone within earshot for his favorite snacks. He also takes his job as the household alarm system very seriously, barking at the sound of anything—real or imaginary. Despite his very spoiled nature, he’s been a loving foster dad to many kittens—though he firmly believes they should respect his personal snack stash.
In the months leading up to becoming a first-time mom in September 2023, Michaela realized she still wanted to contribute to the veterinary field while working from home. She founded Thumper Veterinary Staffing to stay connected to her passion for animals while balancing family life. With a mission to provide skilled veterinary professionals with flexible opportunities, the business was created to support those seeking a meaningful way to impact veterinary care remotely. Knowing she had valuable skills to offer, Michaela wanted to create opportunities for others who shared the same passion and dedication.
The Company
Jonathan Hagan Hulsey, Project Executor
Hagan is Michaela’s younger brother and plays a key role in bringing Thumper Veterinary Staffing’s projects to life. While he runs his own full-time greenhouse farming business, he also dedicates time to ensuring that all business operations run smoothly. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his eight cats, who keep him on his toes, and is known as the chef of the family, with a passion for cooking up delicious meals. He also befriends local wildlife—squirrels, deer, birds, and even the occasional possum all seem to know they can count on him for a snack.
Karsen Ross, Business Development Coordinator
Before transitioning into veterinary medicine, Karsen worked in the art department in media production and held managerial roles across various industries. She shares her home with two dogs and a cat—each a troublemaker in their own unique way!
Karsen has worn many hats in the veterinary field, including serving as a hospital manager for an emergency animal hospital before joining Thumper. She is passionate about Thumper’s growth and strongly believes in its ability to support veterinary practices in meaningful ways. With a deep appreciation for teamwork and collaboration, she thrives on building relationships and finding solutions that benefit both clinics and professionals.