We were lucky to catch up with Kathryn Sarpong Dvm Dabvp recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kathryn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
In school and post graduation training, I learned to be a good veterinarian in terms of understanding medicine and surgery and how to connect the data to help animals recover from disease. A dog from a rescue group taught me how to be patient when applying those skills as a medical team, dog, and prayers all come together to heal.
A few years after opening Metro Paws Animal Hospital on Skillman, a rescue group (Animal Allies of Texas) called me on a warm October Sunday. They had received a starving dumped dog with a coffee can on her neck that had to be cut away. She was septic and in very poor condition. I met them at the clinic and that dog needed multiple surgeries and transfusions, but eventually recovered. The dog, newly named Olivia, was adopted, unadopted and returned to rescue and a couple of years later, she joined my family. Olivia is now 16ish and a fantastic dog.
The photos show more about her journey than words can express. But she is hands down the smartest dog I have ever known and brings my family so much joy. She taught me and my entire staff patience for a long healing journey that can result in lots of love and joy. So from starving to eating Blue Bell ice cream in bed…. she has done pretty well for herself! And I am grateful for the lessons on patience, perseverance and teamwork.
(photos attached)
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A classmate (Dr. Jennifer Lavender) and I opened the first Metro Paws Animal Hospital in 2006 on Skillman in Dallas Texas. We wanted to provide top notch personal small animal health care. We were each expanding our families and pregnant with our second children. I had my daughter a month after we opened and Dr. Lavender delivered her daughter 2 months after that! Thankfully, we had healthy babies and supportive families in those early years!
Eventually, the phone rang more than the 2 of us could handle. So we expanded and hired other great veterinarians and team members. We are now in Oak Cliff, near White Rock Lake, and in the original location near lower Greenville on Skillman St. We have veterinarians on staff that are gifted with wellness, internal medicine, all types of surgery, and acupuncture. We believe that our teamwork leads to pets and people having a cohesive experience.
We explain the options to pet parents and give realistic compassionate treatment options from the simple to the advanced.
It brings me joy to see my neighbors that are also my clients when I am at the grocery store or walking one of my dogs around the lake.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My undergraduate degree is in Chemical Engineering. I worked for a pharmaceutical company in new drug development after graduation. In spite of the excitement of the project, I was unfulfilled. I knew that I needed to work in a field where I could help people and animals directly. Something in me needed to be more directly connected to the outcomes. So, I returned to take undergraduate courses in biology and genetics and eventually applied and was accepted to veterinary school.
This has been the best pivot of my life. I am grateful everyday for having a wonderful job that has challenged me while I have been privileged to walk with families as they adopted and cared for animals.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Lots of people love pets and think veterinary medicine must be puppy kisses all day long. While, I do love a puppy kiss, being a veterinarian means I also need to love people. Pets almost always have a human holding the leash or pet carrier! So empathy, logic and a high tolerance for stress are a must! Teamwork with the technicians, assistants and other doctors are critical to enjoying this work. Great veterinarians are lifelong learners and eagerly reading the latest publications and engaging with other professionals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mpahvets.com
- Facebook: Metro Paws Animal Hospital – White Rock
- Linkedin: Metro Paws Animal Hospital
Image Credits
all photos are mine