Julie

Hello!  I’m Julie, a receptionist here at Four Lakes.  I’ve have been in the animal field for the past 11+ years and love it.  I definitely didn’t envision myself in this field, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.  Life has a funny way of not going the way you think it will!

We had a cat briefly when I was a child, and aside from a few goldfish I’d win at local fairs, animals weren’t a part of my life until my late 20’s, and boy did I ever have to be talked into it! We got a puppy, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who I named Ginger, and she changed my life. Because of her, I developed a growing interest in animal rights and animal cruelty issues, became a vegetarian, and ultimately lead to a major career change.  I have a degree in Mass Communication (I wanted to work for MTV!), and after working for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and then 10 years working for Verizon Wireless, I landed a job at a busy animal ER/specialty practice. I entered that job with very little experience; I’d write down all the medical terminology I’d hear during rounds on a spreadsheet to look up later, and was fascinated to read the reports of how the doctors “fixed” the patients.  I’d finally found my passion.

I live with my fiancé and our three dogs, Lola, a Great Dane; Dash, a Jack Russell Terrier; and Jett, a Chihuahua mix.  We live in Cottage Grove, and in my spare time I like to spend time with my dogs, get together with friends, and travel (when Covid doesn't prevent it!).