I cannot remember this exact moment but I can feel it. The scrappy barn kitten, warm in my arms. The smell of dirt, fresh air, and cows that came with visits to my grandparents’ remote Kansas farm.

A feeling of calm safety comes over me seeing this photo. This is a gift animals have given me since a child and, later in life, I believe the reason I pursued veterinary medicine. I feel blessed to have found such a reliable source of strength from the cats and dogs in my life.

Seeing the bond my clients have with their pets, hearing the stories of unconditional love, and understanding the deep effect animals have on their person’s happiness and health is awesome.

This is veterinary medicine, this is me.

Thank you for sharing your pets, your stories, and your trust in their care with me and our team at Healthy Paws Animal Hospital.

Dr. Burgess