There are some people who have never even been to the Region. That was the case for Dr. Kelly Rock before she found her way to a desirable future.
Dr. Rock studied at the University of Rhode Island for her undergraduate degree. She went on to pursue her doctorate’s degree in veterinary medicine at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and met her husband in the process. Following Ross University, Dr. Rock did her clinical rotation at Oklahoma State University.
Her husband is originally from the Region, which is what brought Dr. Rock out this way after traveling across the country for her educational journey. In 2020, she became a member of the team at Vale Park Animal Hospital. Serving as an associate veterinarian for the hospital, she’s been able to find her place of comfort.
“It’s been awesome working here,” Dr. Rock said. “We have a very friendly atmosphere at Vale Park. A lot of our clients are really generous as well, which makes work an even better experience.”
Working in veterinary medicine has always been a passion for Dr. Rock. She recalled a moment from when she was younger that showcased her desire to work in the field.
“I always felt like becoming a veterinarian was my calling,” Dr. Rock said. “My mom happened to remember how I wrote this paper in kindergarten about how much I wanted to become a veterinarian in the future. It’s pretty cool to look back at those things because it really always felt like I had the ambition to do this when I grew up.”
As someone who has been invested in this field for most of her life, Dr. Rock provides encouragement to those who have similar aspirations as she did growing up.
“I think two of the most important things for me growing up to get me where I’m at today are math and science,” Dr. Rock said. “Figuring out what it is that you really love to do is the first step. From there, it’s about making the move to go for it.”
Outside of work, Dr. Rock spends a lot of time with her family. They take part in several running events in the area when they have the opportunity.
“I’ll participate with Extra Mile and its running group,” Dr. Rock said. “Running is one of my favorite things to do. My kids will even join me for other Valparaiso running events such as the Turkey Trot and Ringing in Spring. It’s always awesome for us to do something fun together with the family whenever we can.”
Dr. Rock has even participated in a few triathlons throughout her career.
Moving forward, Dr. Rock plans to keep helping out pet owners and their furry friends at Vale Park. Two things that she has a strong passion for are dentistry and the behavior of animals. As an owner of two cats and two dogs, making sure that pets are kept healthy is imperative. She hopes for good health for her family in the future and to continue making memories together.
