Derek Koch

Basically a Doctor / Everything Else Department

To be clear, Derek is not actually a doctor. But after years of being married to Dr. Player, submerged in family dinners with all five Dr. Players, and constantly present for the controlled chaos of veterinary medicine, the title has become emotionally accurate.
Derek is Dr. Player’s husband and one of the reasons BVC feels like a true family-run clinic. With a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in information systems, he is well-qualified for the madness of BVC, where he serves as the IT department, shipment runner, snack provider, morale support, extra set of hands, and “whatever needs doing” person.
He calms nervous owners, makes the staff laugh, troubleshoots problems, assists with patient restraint and radiographs, and steps in wherever he is needed. During C-sections, he scribes, tracks timing, counts sponges, pre-oxygenates patients, passes sterile supplies, warms puppies, and assists with neonatal revival. He once worked on a puppy for 35 minutes and refused to give up; she finally took a breath and is alive today because Derek kept trying.
Derek understands the bond shared with a beloved pet and the realities of responsible breeding because he has lived both: the worry, the loss, the endless puppy poop, and the pride of watching a puppy succeed in the show ring. He helps whelp litters, evaluate puppies, choose stud dogs, and place puppies thoughtfully.
His work is often behind the scenes, but his presence is felt everywhere at BVC. He keeps things running, keeps people laughing, keeps puppies warm, keeps the Wi-Fi functioning, and keeps snacks appearing when morale requires medical intervention.