LADIES WHO…
... ARE VETERINARIANS These four animal lovers make sure our furry companions stay healthy Compiled by Matilde Ruiz
Photos by Jessica Frey
V
eterinarians don’t just play and pet adorable animals all day. Their career is not easy. Veterinarians endure years of education and practice in animal medicine to learn to care for our furry loved ones, build a strong stomach and cope with animal tragedies. These local ladies are fulltime doctors with a passion to treat a different type of species — animals.
Kimberly Bonham Kim berly Bonham ,from Stockdale Veterinary H ospital,hasbeen a veterinarian for19 years.Bonham beginsherdays at3:15 a.m .to m ake tim e forfitness,her daughterand to treatherpatients. Why did you become a veterinarian? In the third grade, we were assigned a project that involved researching different professions and interviewing someone in that field. I selected a veterinarian. The sciences have been my favorite subjects in school. It helps to enjoy school when it takes eight years to receive your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. What do you like about your job? No two days are ever alike. I am a general practitioner, but get to practice internal medicine, neurology, surgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, radiology and 112
Bakersfield Life Magazine
April 2013
Kimberly Bonham dermatology every day. What is the most common issue you confront with animals here locally? Allergies can manifest themselves as itchy skin, changes in the eyes and ear infections. The goal with allergies is often one of management rather than a cure. Do you own any pets? I have two dogs (one is a guide dog puppy that my family is raising for Guide Dogs for the Blind), four cats, two birds, a 60-gallon fish aquarium, two chickens and two goats.
What are the most common misconceptions about your job? That we do not have to deal much with people. You just get to play with puppies and kittens all day — not! I enjoy working closely with my clients, and I understand how strong and important the human-animal bond is. This bond is an integral part of our lives.
Cattrina Lucas Cattrina isa veterinarian atCritters W ithoutLitters,a m obile clinic that