Dr. Deborah L. Cox is a graduate of the Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to that, she received a bachelor’s degree in English and then spent two years in a graduate school focusing on a degree in Folklore, at which time she realized her calling has always been caring for animals. She spent 5 years in Wisconsin and 10 years in southern Minnesota practicing in mixed large and small animal clinics before taking over Twin Pines Veterinary Clinic in 1997. Being physically active has always been important, these days that translates to horseback riding, gardening, and cross-country skiing when time permits. Her animal household now consists of three dogs (a middle-aged compulsive German Shepherd and two active young boxer siblings) and 5 cats (now older and all clinic rescues). Throughout the years of practice, the most important and rewarding part has been sharing in our clients' animal families [citation].