Every vet has an origin story; the moment they realized that caring for animals was their passion, and that one way or another, they would dedicate their lives to that cause. For Dr Kevin Fitzgerald, it was the love and loss of his pet turtle, Sam, that planted the seed of a career spent in the service of animals. Little did he know, at the tender age of five, just how fascinating and convoluted that career would be!
In his new and highly entertaining memoir, aptly titled “It All Started With A Turtle,” Dr Kevin takes us on a journey in five acts, starting with his early childhood as an Irish Catholic in Colorado, to his current role as a seasoned veterinarian with 43 years under his belt, widely travelled research associate, veterinary consultant to the Smithsonian Institution, stand-up comedian, and devoted conservationist. He is a man of many talents who seems to have lived multiple different lives – many of them simultaneously.
We sat down to talk about his book, his life, and his hopes for the future.
The Many Careers of Dr Kevin Fitzgerald
Having missed out on veterinary school the first time around, Kevin began working as a bouncer for a company that served a number of well-known bands, including The Who and the Rolling Stones. After spending almost a decade seeing the world from the backstage of such incredible artists, it was Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones who finally encouraged Kevin to go back to school and become a vet – something not too many people could say!
His work as a veterinarian at the busy VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver has led to a number of different positions, including roles on the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Poison Center Foundation, the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, and the Board of Directors of the Denver Zoo. He famously featured in 11 seasons of Animal Planet’s popular Emergency Vets and ER Interns, lectures veterinary students at The University of Denver, has conducted more than a dozen conservation expeditions across the globe, and writes columns for a number of magazines. In his spare time, he performs stand-up comedy, where he has opened for comedians like Jeff Foxworthy and George Lopez, and he somehow found time to write a 480-page book!
It would be easy to feel intimidated by such a resume, but Kevin’s warmth and laid-back manner put you at ease from the moment you meet him.
Rather than taking full credit for the directions his incredible life and career have taken, Kevin says he thinks of himself as a bit like Forrest Gump; “A lot of things fell into place because I was in the right place at the right time.”
Solving the World’s Problems
We found ourselves agreeing on virtually everything, including politics, education, conservation, and the direction in which veterinary medicine is heading. We have both seen the specialization and corporatization of veterinary practice over the past decade, and neither of us is convinced that it is a change for the better. He finds that newer vets are less willing to step outside their comfort zone or think outside the box, with practicality and common sense being replaced with certificates and protocols. Increasing standards in veterinary care comes with many benefits, but they are not without their drawbacks, particularly when it comes to treatment costs.
The stories he tells are of a veterinary profession that is fascinating and fun and heartbreaking and unbelievable and frustrating and hilarious. His enthusiasm is infectious, and the way he tells a story feels very similar to his writing style, both entertaining and endearing. You find yourself caring about what he cares about, and given his passion for conservation, this is certainly a good thing.
The Fifth Act
The first four ‘Acts’ of his book feel like a lighthearted warm-up to the subject that dominates Kevin’s focus these days. Although he concedes that the chapters about conservation are perhaps not quite as entertaining as the amusing anecdotes that precede them, he feels they are the most important, and he is right.
What struck me most about Kevin was his optimism. We enjoyed a laugh over the worrying state of the world today, recalling the phone call he received recently from his friend in Ireland – “Are Americans okay? How do you manage to p*** off Canada?!” and reflected on his concerns about the declining education levels in his country. Despite this, he still has hope for the future. Faced with falling biodiversity and ecosystem health, he insists that we cannot despair, and that we still have time to change things.
If you’re looking for a book that is funny, interesting, and subtly educational, It All Started With A Turtle is worth the read. Buy it for the amusing anecdotes, share it for its message about protecting our planet.
The Many Careers of Dr Kevin Fitzgerald
