One Year Anniversary

One year ago, October 17, 2015, I officially became a business owner. After a sudden change in employment status, investigating what lay ahead, and a lot of prayer, I filed the documents that made this my new reality.

During this past year, I have worked in practices throughout eastern Wisconsin and the US Virgin Islands. I have also traveled to the desert southwest for the first time, working through Christian Veterinary Missions to perform spays and neuters for the Navajo Nation in Arizona. I have completed continuing education courses in Wisconsin, Florida, and Virginia.

Due to all of the farm animals that began showing up in the Virgin Islands and my goal for doing more mission work, I decided to do the Farm Animal Training for Missions (FARM) course in Catawba, VA in September. The Scottish Highland cows wanted to join the lessons!

Mabel was my first goat patient in the Virgin Islands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have made time to visit friends in Puerto Rico, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. I have found some balance for myself. My goal for the business was to provide renewed strength for other veterinarians, and even when I am crazy busy and not getting a lot of sleep, I have found that I am renewed myself. I would like to share just a few of my adventures, patients, and travels!

Dulce was a patient in the USVI heading to the mainland to her new family!

Sometimes, fawns need doctors, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristy, Thurman, and I in front of the Navajo mobile veterinary unit. June 2015

Churchill was injured in a dog attack. After repairing his wounds, including fixing his broken ribs and a hole through his chest wall, he was able to go to his furever home.

This is the face of a dog that enjoys eating Cane Toads (they are toxic). Thankfully, his family was quick thinking and they flushed his mouth out. After some fluids, oxygen, and more fluids, he did great!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have continued to build my skills and providing care for animals and their people. Lots of my normal dogs, cats, and rabbits, but also some goats and even a donkey! From vaccines and health certificates to skin and ear infections to major surgeries and behavioral consultations, my skills have been tested and improved. I have had cases that have pushed me passed my limits and brought me to my knees, but I not only survived, I thrived.

Juan Carlos, my first donkey patient, at about 1 month of age was found 20 feet out in the ocean after being attacked by an adult donkey. He found a new home on St. Thomas, USVI.

An arm full of puppies makes so many things better. This was a litter at I saw in St. Anna, Wisconsin.

I would like to thank all of the clinics, doctors, staff, clients, and patients that let me into their lives. I would like to thank all of the family and friends that supported me with good thoughts, prayers, and places to stay.

My sister’s dog, Macy, needed emergency surgery to remove a tumor on her spleen (note giant mass under my hand). Thankfully, she did well and the tumor was benign. Yeah for not having cancer!