Dr. Virginia Clemans, Veterinarian
Dr. Virginia Clemans was Best Friends' chief veterinarian from 2001 to 2004. She now resides in Salt Lake City, where she is chief of staff for the Utah County Fix, a low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter and vaccine clinic sponsored by No More Homeless Pets in Utah and Best Friends Animal Society. She also hosts a monthly radio segment on pet health care for TalkFM Radio 97.5 FM in Salt Lake.
Dr. Virg was born in Austin, Texas. She earned her B.S. Degree in Medical Technology from Corpus Christi State University, and spent 12 years in the human medical field as a Medical Technologist. Her love of medicine and animals prompted her to return to school to become a veterinarian. She graduated in 1994 from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge. While at LSUSVM, she was named to the Dean's Honor List, nominated for the 1994 LSUSVM Hershey Comeaux Award of Excellence in Veterinary Medicine, and was the 1994 recipient of the American Association of Feline Practitioners Senior Student Award. She was chosen to complete an externship at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans during her senior year.
After graduation, Dr. Virg practiced in Louisiana. She co-hosted a live call-in radio talk show, "Pet Talk", on WJBO Radio. She was a volunteer speaker for East Baton Rouge Parish Public School system, presenting topics on pet care, veterinary medicine and public health issues to Baton Rouge school children. She was Program Co-Director and Instructor in Emergency Veterinary Medicine Techniques for Critter Care, Inc., a nationally franchised in-home pet sitting service.
Next, Dr. Virg practiced in Cottonwood, Arizona. In addition to full-time practice in Cottonwood, she was Director of the Pet Therapy Program at Alternative Senior Living, Inc. She was also a volunteer with Animal Aid Network, an organization providing a low-cost neuter/spay program and emergency medical fee supplementation for the needy. She participated in fundraising events, and worked in the organization's thrift store.
During her free time she enjoys listening to music, reading, writing, and taking road trips with her husband Martin and feline companion, Trapper.
