Vet Cetera magazine 2015

“MY MOTHER IS THE SOLE REASON I
DECIDED TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN.
IT IS AWESOME BEING ABLE TO SEE HER
WORK WITH CLIENTS AND PATIENTS.”
“I didn’t always foresee being a
veterinarian,” admits Bryce Fritzler.
“Throughout my undergraduate
studies at the University of Oklahoma,
I had always envisioned being
a medical doctor.
“My mother is the sole reason I
decided to become a veterinarian,”
says the son, who grew up helping
at his mother’s small animal practice,
Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital
& Pet Resort in Norman, Okla.
“Bryce would clean kennels after
school until he was old enough to
drive,” Beverly Fritzler says. “After
he earned his bachelor’s at OU, he
worked as a veterinary assistant
while he tried to decide if human
medicine was the way he wanted to
continue. He soon realized veterinary
medicine had many more facets
than just the work he had done
growing up.”
“It is awesome being able to see
her work with clients and patients,”
Bryce says. “And going to OSU for
my DVM degree was a no-brainer.
As a resident of Oklahoma, I paid
in-state tuition, and it allowed me
to stay closer to home, which was
important to me.
“My favorite memory of veterinary
college starts with the first
physiology test our freshman year.
I received a 100 on the exam. I was
temporarily labeled the ‘smart person,’
which led to meeting my wife,
Jennifer Devine. Jennifer struggled
with the first exam and sought me
out as a tutor. We developed a friendship
and later a relationship. It also
gave me confidence at the beginning
of this long journey that I had chosen
the right career path.
“If you’re thinking about becoming
a veterinarian, I suggest getting
experience in the field as soon as
possible. Experience working with a
veterinarian is essential to easing the
process of school. It can also help
you determine if it is the career you
really do want to pursue,” he adds.
At commencement, Dr. Fritzler
hooded her son during the hooding
ceremony — a long-standing tradition
at Oklahoma State’s Center for
Veterinary Health Sciences.
“It means more than I can say,”
says Beverly. “I am so proud of
what he has accomplished and that
our dreams are shared. Receiving
my DVM was one of the happiest
moments of my life and has provided
my family with much enjoyment.
I am proud that he watched,
learned and wants to excel in veterinary
medicine.”
“My mother is the person who has
influenced and supported me the
most with my decision to become
a veterinarian,” adds Bryce. “She has
been my mentor these past four
years. Having her hood me will be
an incredible experience.”
Following graduation, Bryce
joined his mother’s practice as an
associate veterinarian.
“I think intelligence and compassion
are Bryce’s greatest strengths.
The intelligence he possesses is so
impressive, and I’m looking forward
to learning more from him,” says
Beverly. “He has a big heart, and it’s
those little things he does that will
make his transition into practice
seamless. I have been looking forward
to slowing down, but there
is so much more I want to do that
I have not accomplished yet. Bryce
seems to share the same goals as me,
so I look forward to him continuing
my work.”
In addition to practicing small
animal medicine and surgery, Beverly
is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation
therapist, a Certified Veterinary
Medical Acupuncturist, and has specialized
training in Canine Massage
Therapy. Bryce plans to also receive
additional training in rehabilitation,
acupuncture and endoscopy. Rose
Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet
Resort employs three veterinarians
(in addition to the Fritzlers) and 30
staff members.”
2015 Oklahoma State University 69