A long-time presence in Mansfield's veterinary medicine profession is getting recognition, for two reasons.

Nancy Huck was honored at the Mid-American Conference in Columbus as Veterinarian Technician of the Year. 

She says she was flabbergasted when her name was called, because she never expected to win the award. 

Huck started working with veterinarians in 1963 while a senior in high school.

She has assisted Doctor Melanie Hull of Hull Veterinary Hospital on Middle Bellville Road for the last 19 years.

Hull says Nancy wears many hats, is her "go to gal", and will be greatly missed. 

Huck plans to retire in September, at the age of 67, closing a half-century career of caring for families' pets.

Although, as she did as a child, she expects neighbors and friends to bring sick or injured animals to her for tender loving care and nursing back to health.