Cornerstone hires a new vet
Tue, 02/16/2016 - 11:06am
admin
By:
Pam Goebel
Maria Sjodin is the new veterinarian at Cornerstone Veterinary Service in Gonvick. She is from Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. Being a vet seems like one of those careers that one would always know you wanted, and Maria shared with me that she did know from the time she was 2 ½ years old that she would be a veterinarian. She has had a lifelong commitment to animal welfare.
Her family includes mom, dad and a younger sister. And pets were always a big part of the family as well.
German Shorthair Pointers are her favorite dog breed. Even though she doesn’t have her own at this time, she has been a foster home to Pointer breeds for the last 3 years. Maria works with Great Plains Pointer Rescue in that capacity.
Maria is currently living in Debs. She likes the small town living and the sense of community is important to her. Her hobbies include hunting and fishing, swimming, or anything in the great outdoors.
She obtained her degree in animal science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She completed four years in undergraduate studies and four years of veterinary, with the last year being all clinicals and hands-on experience. She graduated in May of 2015.
Maria’s priority when job searching began was to hopefully stay in Minnesota or possibly Iowa. She also knew she wanted a situation with a good mentor, and also to feel that she could make a good contribution to a clinic. She hit all the marks with Cornerstone! She said, “Interviewing with Bob and Lori was like talking to family. I immediately felt like I belonged.”
She works with mixed animals, large and small, although she has a special affinity for swine and small ruminants, such as sheep, goats, alpaca and llamas.
Spring is always the busiest time at the vets office, with newborns coming from all directions, but even now there is plenty to do. Maria had been out on a call just before we got together for our talk, and stated she was glad there was no blood in her hair. That’s the first time I’ve heard that in an interview!
Maria is a great addition to our wonderful Cornerstone Veterinary Service, and she will enjoy getting to know everyone in our communities, (and our four legged friends!) Speaking of four legged friends, while I was there Maria introduced me to the sweetest little labrador mix that had been rescued by Red Lake Rosie with a badly damaged front leg. The leg had to be amputated, but this little guy seemed to know he was in good hands.
Cornerstone Vet has also recently completed a much needed expansion of the building which includes more space in the reception area, more storage, another exam room, and a larger and more up-to-date surgery. The updates, along with the fine staff and owners, assures us that we can obtain the highest quality, compassionate care for our animals.