Dr. Stephen Holland becomes newest vet on board at California Veterinary Clinic

The California Veterinary Clinic is welcoming Dr. Stephen Holland, DVM, to the staff. He graduated from University of issouri Veterinary School in May.
The California Veterinary Clinic is welcoming Dr. Stephen Holland, DVM, to the staff. He graduated from University of issouri Veterinary School in May.

Dr. Stephen Holland, recent graduate of University of Missouri Veterinary School, has joined the veterinary staff at California Veterinary Clinic.

"This place is a really good fit for me," Holland said. That includes the city, which is similar to his hometown of Forsythe, in southwest Missouri. It also is a good fit, since he was looking for a mixed animal practice that does a lot of large animals.

"It's good working with Dr. (Roger) Borgmeyer and Dr. (Mark) Oerly," he said. "They are very experienced. Both are familiar with a little bit of everything. "

Holland said that the practice in this area offers the kind of work he wanted, with a variety of animals to be seen in the vet practice and large animals. The California clinic also has experienced veterinarians to work with.

He said it is also good for a beginning veterinarian to be able to split the on-call weekends and nights with others. "It's split three ways, so it works well," he said. Otherwise, he works four-and-a-half days a week, with 10 hours a day.

When Holland graduated from veterinary school in May, he already knew a little of what the California clinic was like, since he spent two weeks here last spring, getting some hands-on experience in a mixed-animal practice.

"I'm very happy with the direction I've chosen," Holland said. "I'm glad to be out of school. I'm glad to be helping animals."

Holland's undergraduate studies were at Drury University, in Springfield, where he received a B.A. degree. His major was Biology, with minors in chemistry and global studies.

Drury is a private, liberal arts college, and global studies was a required minor for everyone at the time. Holland played second base for the Drury Panthers baseball team, after playing third base in high school.

When he can find some spare time, Holland likes to spend time outdoors. Fishing and bow hunting are particular interests.

For his vet school experience, he preferred the University of Missouri. Holland said most vet schools have three years of book classes and one year experience with animals, while the MU vet school has "two and two," which he thinks is better.

He said that graduates of the MU vet school generally have a little more hands-on experience than most.

However, Holland said, "I had to look for myself for my large animal experience. Overall, I'm happy with my education at MU."

He said that the studies at the veterinarian school, plus the undergrad work, totals eight years. If a veterinarian wants to specialize, the residency programs are another three to five years, depending on what specialty the person wishes to pursue.

Currently, Holland resides in Wooldridge. His girlfriend is currently in the MU Veterinarian School, with about two years until graduation.

"I'm almost two months out of school and am starting to get comfortable,"Holland said. "I like what I'm doing. I learned enough in school that I am comfortable with working in the field. I'm always learning something."