Hi, I'm Dr. Howard! I graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024 and began my career as a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). There, I gained valuable experience in food safety and animal health, performing inspections and postmortem evaluations of food-producing species. I also previously worked as a necropsy technician at the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, where I helped prepare samples for pathological evaluation.
In 2025, I joined The Hometown Veterinarian, and I've loved every minute of working with this incredible team. It’s been a great transition back to companion animal care, and I’m grateful to be part of a clinic that values strong relationships with clients and their pets.
I'm a proud member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association.
Why I Chose This Profession
I’ve always been moved by the connection between people and their animals. The human-animal bond has had a strong impact on my own life, and becoming a veterinarian felt like a natural way to give back. My goal is to help keep animals happy and healthy so they can continue to bring joy and companionship to their families.
Favorite Part of My Job
I really enjoy preventive care and working through medicine cases, but one of the best parts of my job is getting those follow-up calls or messages letting me know a sick pet is feeling better. Knowing I’ve made a difference in both the pet’s life and the family’s peace of mind is incredibly rewarding.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Outside of work, I love to read, go camping, spend time fishing, and play board games with friends and family. At home, I'm kept busy by my beagle Frannie, a long-haired cat named Gus, and a three-toed box turtle named Rosie.