MercyVet, a holistic veterinary hospital, celebrated its 15th anniversary on the Island on May 27.

Dr. Jackie Sehn, owner and primary doctor at MercyVet, decided to raise her employee minimum wage to $15 an hour to honor the occasion. Sehn, formerly Obando, grew up in Brazil and has lived on the Island since 1996. Her sons graduated from Mercer Island High School.

She commuted to Redmond for a few years before opening her own practice. When she first opened and was remodeling, she was treating patients in the waiting room and the parking lot, she said.

MercyVet has grown over the years, now with 10 employees, more office and exam room space and 5,000 clients.

“It doesn’t feel like 15 years, but you see the evidence,” she said. “My kids are grown, and I’m on a second wave of pets.”

Her two corgis come to work with her. One followed her from her house, just a few blocks away, one day, she said.

Animals and their families come and go throughout the day, looking for the experience and expertise of Dr. Jackie and her co-workers. They offer everything from X-rays to acupuncture, an “integrated approach” to animal medicine that’s unique in the area, with a heartfelt approach.

“You decide to be a vet when you’re six or seven years old. I don’t know anyone who decided to be a vet later in life—it’s a childhood decision,” she said. “My dad told me that whatever you’re going to do, you’re going to do for a long time. So you should do something you love.”

MercyVet is located at 2707 76th Ave S.E. For more information or to schedule an appointment, email info@mercyvet.com or call 206-232-7667.