For Dr. Gerding, veterinary medicine is a second career. In 1996, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Malone University in Ohio and worked as an intensive care and emergency nurse for 23 years in Virginia. In 2016, she returned to the university setting and graduated in 2020 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech. After graduating, Dr. Gerding and her husband moved back to Ohio to be closer to her parents.
Dr. Gerding began her career in general practice for two years and then spent two years in emergency medicine. Keeping current in veterinary medicine is extremely important to her, and she completes numerous hours of continuing education per year. After receiving her DVM, Dr. Gerding completed a two-year course that focused on caring for cats and dogs in general practice. She has also completed veterinary courses and continuing education on exotic pets.
Dr. Gerding is certified as a Fear-Free Practitioner and currently holds certificates in Basic and Advanced life support. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). Her interests include complex case work-ups for sick animals, wound care, surgery, working with anxious pets, and ultrasound. She is also looking forward to learning about and treating the clinic’s exotic pet population. Dr. Gerding also really enjoys educating clients and helping with the human-animal bond, including working with therapy and service dogs. One of her dreams is to participate in a disaster relief organization.
Dr. Gerding is married and has six cats and one dog. She and her husband are very involved with Kitten Krazy, a non-profit organization in Medina, Ohio. Dr. Gerding is their volunteer veterinarian and sits on the Executive Board. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, gardening, and creating stained-glass window pieces.