About Us
Michaela Hulsey Wray, Sole Founder & CEO
Michaela and her husband share a little girl, Thumper (Mr. Labi and Carl have crossed over the rainbow bridge), 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.
Experience
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 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, having worked her way up from remote CSR and doctor’s assistant to administrative assistant, CSR, and doctor’s assistant before becoming the hospital administrator.
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.
Karsen Ross, Director of Recruitment & Branding
Karsen has worked in animal care since 2019, gaining experience across general practice, shelter medicine, and emergency care. Her deep love for client communication and her ability to bring calm to stressful situations have always defined her work.
At Thumper Veterinary Staffing, Karsen serves as the Director of Recruitment & Branding, where she leads the hiring process, interviews potential team members, and oversees Thumper’s visual and professional identity. Her creativity and empathy shine through in every project—from designing outreach materials to ensuring that both clients and team members feel supported and connected.
Jonathan Hagan Hulsey, Director of Business Development & Partnerships
Hagan is Michaela’s younger brother and plays a key role in bringing Thumper Veterinary Staffing’s projects to life. As Director of Business Development & Partnerships, he leads outreach efforts to veterinary facilities, builds new relationships, and helps expand Thumper’s network of trusted partners. His drive and dependability ensure that operations run smoothly and that each collaboration reflects Thumper’s commitment to quality and compassion.
While he runs his own full-time greenhouse farming business, Hagan still dedicates time to supporting Thumper’s mission and growth. 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, always cooking up something delicious. A true animal lover, he’s also known for befriending local wildlife—squirrels, deer, birds, and even the occasional possum all know they can count on him for a snack.
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