Dr. Kjersten Morrison Dr. Kjersten Morrison of the Boothbay Animal Hospital giving her patient, brown Labrador retriever Cletus Field of Trevett, a check up. (Photo Lisa Kristoff)

Dr. Kjersten Morrison has been connecting with domestic animals with all of the wonder and enthusiasm you would expect since she was a girl of four.

In her teens, she volunteered at the Sunny Crest Veterinary Hospital in her native town of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

During these years, there seemed little doubt that she would become a veterinarian. Kjersten's awareness of the psychological connection between pets and their people and its impact on the quality of life experienced by both began.

Morrison, who graduated from veterinary school in 2000, brings her passion for animals and their well being to the Boothbay Animal Hospital in Boothbay.

Prior to joining the staff in July 2007, Morrison was employed at a veterinary hospital in Fryeburg.

This vet of seven years becomes quite animated when discussing the care of animals and her practice. Morrison is very interested in alternative health methods such as veterinary chiropractic, herbology and physical therapy.

She is trained in the latter and employed some physical therapy methods while working in Fryeburg, particularly orthopedic.

"I worked on dogs that had had hip displacement and bone surgeries, but I'm not sure to what degree this will be incorporated here," Morrison said. "Appointments are 30 to 45 minutes and it is difficult to schedule that kind of time block in a busy office."

Nutrition is a primary focus for Morrison who believes that pet owner awareness is "slowly sinking in."

"What our pets eat affects their bodies and health just as it does ours," said Morrison. "There is a relationship between nutrition and preventative care because it forms the basis for health and healing."

She cites wellness care - keeping up to date with vaccinations, yearly checkups and good dental care - as being key elements in helping our pets live longer.

"To be a vet you certainly should have a love for animals," said Morrison. "But it is equally important to have a love of people. Wanting to help animals and help people has always been a very natural feeling in me. You need to be able to relate to people as well because their pets are an extension of their family."

Healing pets and improving their quality of life and keeping them healthy impacts the home they are part of.

Sometimes, as all pet owners know but prefer not to think about, our pets cannot be healed or they have grown very old and cannot move around without discomfort.

"Then I still try to do what I can during that grieving process of letting go, of saying good-bye," said Morrison. "It is a difficult reality of what we have to deal with."

Morrison enjoys working with the staff at the animal hospital and has fallen in love with the area.

She and her husband, Steve, recently welcomed a new member to their family, a daughter.

The couple returned from Kazakhstan on December 25 with their then nine-month-old daughter, Aitugan (pronounced I - to - gone) after spending two months there completing the adoption.

The Morrison family resides in Boothbay with the other members of the family, three Rotweillers, Midou, Bokar and Daonda.

Call the Boothbay Animal Hospital, 633-3447 or Coastal Veterinary Care, 882-9458 for appointments and hours of operation.