Veterinarian
Hi, my name is Dr. Kristen Mozeika! I'm an Associate Veterinarian here at the Pet Care Center at Luna Park.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I went to undergrad at the University of Minnesota up in the Twin Cities. Then I went on to veterinary school at Purdue University in Indiana, where I completed my veterinary degree. I also concurrently did a Master's of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.
What has your career path been like since graduating?
Since then, I have stayed in Indiana for about five years, working in a general practice small animal facility outside the suburbs of Indianapolis before I moved back home and started working at the Pet Care Center.
What inspired you to become a veterinarian?
I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. The first time I learned what a veterinarian was in second grade, I decided that it was going to be my job, and I pretty much never changed my mind after that point! I've always grown up around animals; I had a lot of dogs growing up, and we had a couple of cats. So, I've always been very pet-friendly and loved animals, and that's what I've bonded with, too. It's always been my dream job, and I stuck with it.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is definitely interacting with clients. I love client education, teaching, and learning from everybody. My favorite part is teaching owners how to best care for their pets and give them the best possible life.
What are some of your personal hobbies?
My hobbies include many outdoorsy things like hiking and camping. I also do a lot of dog sports with my Russell Terrier, enjoying activities in the dog sport world. Other than that, I like hanging out with my family, going on vacation, and pretty usual stuff. I also enjoy pet photography and have an Instagram for my dog, Chili. His handle is C-AchillesHeel, H-E-E-L, where I post a lot of pictures of him and other photos of my pets. It's where I show my passion for pet photography.
What are your favorite aspects of veterinary care?
My favorite thing about veterinary care is definitely the client education. I love seeing a pet that maybe is a little bit on the sicker side or comes in for an issue, and then we're able to figure out and diagnose the problem, send them home with treatment, and get them feeling a lot better. I love seeing the reports from owners saying their dog or cat is a lot better after we put them on some medications. That's one of the biggest aspects I really enjoy. I also really like dentistry, which is a big passion of mine. I love seeing a pet that maybe we didn't know was in pain before we did the dental, and we may have to do some extractions on their teeth. Then we get a report back later saying they're doing wonderfully, eating, and being a totally new animal. That's always amazing to see!
Are there any professional associations you're part of?
I am part of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association and have the cat-friendly certification. This involves some specialty requirements to help keep cats comfortable. Cats are very different from dogs when they come into the office, so we want to make sure they're as calm as possible and that we're not causing any excess stress to them. This certification enables us to properly handle cats and treat them differently than we would a regular dog coming into the clinic, as cats aren't used to being handled outside of their normal realm, which is usually their household.
How can someone contact you or the Pet Care Center?
If you have any questions regarding me or any of the other doctors, feel free to give us a call at the Pet Care Center at Luna Park. Our number is (206) 935-3600.