Dr. Sam Morris, Crete, IL., veterinarian and director of Plum Creek Regional Animal Medical Center as interviewed by USA Today.
When did you know this was the "dream job" to which you aspired?
It came as a slow realization along the way. I have always known that I wanted to be a veterinarian, even before I really understood what it was all about. It has turned out to be even better than I had first imagined at the tender age of four.
What do you enjoy most/least about this job?
Most: Contact with animals and the people who love them, who are, I believe generally more caring and compassionate than non animal-lovers. Also, the challenge of ever-changing high-tech medicine that allows us to do so much more for our patients now than when I first graduated many years ago.
Least: Needing to do that on a very tight budget because veterinary medicine is a low-paying, high-overhead profession with no subsidies. Few people realize that. The very least - having to say goodbye to my animal friends as their too-short lives draw to a close.
What surprised you most when you reached this job?
There is so much potential for personal growth, and so many variations of this career that a veterinarian can literally go anywhere and do almost anything. I have a classmate in NASA, one who is a veterinary college dean, others who are distinguished authors, professors, specialists, researchers, some who work with the FDA and in government, and others who just try to make a difference in their little corner of the world. Although I had not thought that the field would be boring, I had no idea how much excitement and variety it had to offer. The bad part was coming to the realization that you cannot save everything, that some owners don't care, and that many people expect the veterinarian to discount a fair fee or to not charge simply because the person chose to have a pet or pets they cannot afford to care for properly. These people often try to make us feel guilty for their choices, not understanding that the veterinarian is a small business person who needs to pay their own bills and raise their own family, too.
Time with my family, although to compensate I have raised my children in the hospital. I even saw an emergency while in labor with the last one. They all can help out, and they understand dedication, compassion and commitment by example.
What has been the biggest sacrifice you have made for this job?
Who or what has been the biggest influence on you in entering this field?
It may have been the challenge of having my high school counselor tell me girls weren't smart enough (I belong to Mensa, the high-IQ society!), and that I shouldn't want to try to do a man's job that pushed me over the edge into the relentless pursuit of my dream. My parents told me I could accomplish anything I wanted, and they never once showed any doubt that I could reach my goal. Their belief in me made a difference.
If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently?
I nearly continued on to get an MD as well as my DVM. Putting the two together might have been even more fun. After all, a veterinarian takes care of all species but one. Why not just add the last and do them all? There are so many similarities, yet so many differences between the species. That is part of the excitement. There is much that could be shared to the benefit of all.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to enter this field?
Take getting the best education you can very seriously. Study more than you think you need to, and definitely put your heart into it. Chase your dream until it becomes a reality, or until you are content that it is time to let the dream go. Not everyone can be a veterinarian, but there are allied careers such as veterinary technology where some can also make a difference for our animal friends.
In addition to running her award-winning animal hospital, Sam Morris "wears several hats, including mom, wife, hospital director, homework assistant, surgeon, household shopper, consultant, fight referee (three daughters), mentor, etc."
