Veterinarian Overview
Danielle Marie Kitz V.M.D. decided to become a veterinarian when she was 12 years old. "I was a member of the local 4-H chapter, and raised/showed lambs as my projects. One year, my favorite ram Scrapper got into something toxic at the county fair. He was seizuring and we didn't think he was going to make it. Our farm veterinarian came to see about him, and I'm telling you -- on that day he became my biggest hero." Dr. Kitz was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, in a small farm community outside of Pittsburgh. She left the small town where she was raised when she was 17 to go to college. She graduated in 1997 with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and then graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2001 with a V.M.D. from The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Many people wonder why I have different initials after my name. The degree is the same as that of a DVM. The only difference is in the history of my school. My veterinary school was started by a group of medical doctors, and so the degree became M.D. with the V. tacked on the beginning to mean Veterinary Medical Doctor." Dr. Kitz's post- graduate experience included seven years practicing at two mixed (large animal and small animals) clinics, completing an internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY and three years of emergency veterinary medicine. In 2007 she joined Abrams Forest Veterinary Clinic. "At Abrams Forest, I have had the opportunity to grow as a veterinarian with an amazing support team. We pride ourselves on practicing high quality medicine and offering compassionate patient care." Her current pet family consists of Maverick, her mixed breed "once-in-a-lifetime dog", Bean the tripod, rescued after she performed her surgery; three cats, Angel (AKA Snowflake), Ricky the useless mouser in the barn, Hope, serial killer of bugs and one horse, a thoroughbred named Glorious Tune, a retired racehorse she rescued in KY. The goals and dreams she had for her career when she was 12 years old haven't changed a bit now that she is a veterinarian. "I love to make a difference in the lives of people and their pets. That, and my love for all of God's creatures, is why I am a veterinarian."
