Fitzgerald gains significant experience working for Vet Clinic

     The experience one gains through an internship can leave a lasting impression.

     Dr. CJ Fitzgerald, of Springville, has been working at the Monticello Veterinary Clinic since June 2020.

     “I was a COVID grad,” she said of graduating from Iowa State University in May 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

     Fitzgerald earned her undergraduate degree in dairy science, with minors in animal science and microbiology. She then went on to earn her doctorate degree and a concurrent master’s degree: a DVM (Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine) and an MPH (Master’s in Public Health).

     “I like learning about infectious diseases,” she said of pursuing the Public Health degree along with a DVM. Fitzgerald said she is especially fascinated by zoonotic diseases, those diseases that show up in both human beings and animals.

     She admitted when she started veterinarian school, she wasn’t quite sure what path she wanted to go down. So, adding Public Health to the mix opens up some opportunities to help the community.

     “There’s a lot of crossover,
 said Fitzgerald. “Some of the diseases we vaccinate for and the parasites we treat/prevent in both large and small animals can be transmitted to humans. We work with Public Health every day as veterinarians, so it is crucial to me that I further my experience in that area to help protect and give back to our community.”

     During her junior year of college in the summer of 2018, Fitzgerald was looking for an internship in the area, close to home in Springville. She reached out to a couple veterinary clinics in the vicinity and Doctors Cole Burrack, Jayme Freye, and Tom Lee in Monticello were eager to help.

     “It was an unpaid internship, but I gained so much experience,” said Fitzgerald, looking back. “I absolutely loved it. Everybody was so nice to me.”

     She wanted to gain experience working with mixed animals, meaning large and small animals, livestock and pets.

     As graduation neared, Fitzgerald said she wanted to keep her options open as far as getting a job close to home. The Monticello clinic had four veterinarians at the time, and she felt they weren’t wanting to take on another.

     “But then Dr. Freye contacted me asking if I was looking for a job,” she said of the surprise offer. “I was so happy. I thought that working in a mixed animal practice was something that I’d love to do.”

     After almost two years with the Vet Clinic, Fitzgerald mainly finds herself working with dogs, cats, and cows; but on emergencies she sees a variety of animals. She was recently called in after-hours to help assist with a complicated birth because the doe was not progressing as she could.

     “Everything turned out well,” she said.

     Fitzgerald said she enjoys her job due to the wide variety of patients she gets to see.

     “We’re trained to do everything,” she said, whether it’s a family bringing their pet dog in for a check-up or going out to a farm.

     One specific field Fitzgerald has become interested in is dermatology (skin-related medical issues) related to animals.

     The Monticello Vet Clinic consists of five full-time vets that share the after-hours emergency line, and one part-time vet. The veterinarians and the vet technicians work well together, and their interests are varied and diverse. Dr. Jayme Freye and Dr. Mark Duffy are the primary surgeons of the practice. Dr. Cole Burrack and Dr. Jillian Becker are the primary equine vets in the practice. Drs. Freye, Duffy, and Fitzgerald all enjoy swine medicine; and all of the veterinarians enjoy working with cattle and seeing small animal patients.

     Fitzgerald does perform C-sections during after-hours calls, showing that the vets in Monticello are quite versatile.

     “It really has a homey feel here,” praised Fitzgerald of the work environment. “There’s not that corporate feeling. We all work well together; bounce ideas off each other. I’m never afraid to consult with the other vets in the office about previous experiences and cases.”

     She added that she likes working in a small town where she’s able to get to know the clients.

     “The other vets here are like mentors to me. I’m able to see procedures here I couldn’t see in school.”

     Fitzgerald said the clinic is also looking into technology upgrades, and is always practicing evidence-based medicine.

     “I have the opportunity to try new things here.”

     Looking back on her senior year of college during the COVID pandemic, Fitzgerald said it was extremely hard to gain hands-on experience toward the end of her clinical year. Everyone tried to keep their distance.

     “We were cut off from seeing patients. We were let go (from vet school) early with rotations near the end being canceled, and an online graduation ceremony. Four years of hard work and we couldn’t even celebrate it together.”

     That’s why she was so thankful for the experience she gained, and continues to gain through the Vet Clinic.

     “Starting my career early was so helpful,” she said. “The clinic actually stayed pretty busy during COVID. It was never curb-side only appointments like a lot of clinics, but we did take increased health precautions during that time.”

     With so many people staying home, working from work, a lot of families and individuals invested in puppies as companions.

     In 2021, Fitzgerald got to experience her first Great Jones County Fair, helping check in livestock and small animals for the 4-H/FFA youth.

     As with any job, there are pros and cons. While the pros certainly outweigh the cons for Fitzgerald, she said it is hard losing an animal.

     “It’s frustrating when we can’t save every single animal, or when we have to put someone’s pet down. That’s the sad part of the job,” she said. “We try to make the animal as comfortable as possible to help maintain quality of life.”

     Fitzgerald said she always saw herself pursuing a career as a veterinarian. She admitted, as a kid, while being a vet piqued her interest, she didn’t really understand what the profession meant.

     In her free time, Fitzgerald and her husband try to spend as much time as they can outdoors, being active.

     “I love volleyball,” she shared. “We enjoy being with family, playing board games.”