At age four, Kris Nelson decided to be a veterinarian. A year later her father took her hunting. Once she realized what was happening, Kris made noise to warn the ducks. She established a hospital in the bow of the boat with blankets, food and water. When a duck was brought in, she dressed its wounds before wrapping a towel around the bird. Kris wanted to save them all. . . she still does.
EDUCATION:
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Nelson completed a small animal internship at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City. She continued her education with a year of additional surgical training at the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to learning advanced surgical techniques, she also taught surgery to veterinary students.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Nelson’s 30 years of practice include work as an emergency room veterinarian, relief veterinarian and Medical Director of a private hospital. Her special areas of interest include surgery, dentistry, preventative medicine and internal medicine. She launched her first practice, the Minnesota Veterinary Center, in 1992. The stories contained in the Coated With Fur series all occurred here from September 1992 though February 1997. On a cold winter day, Dr. Nelson sold her practice to relocate to sunny Arizona. She worked as a relief veterinarian for many years but missed the close relationships she used to have with her patients at the Minnesota Veterinary Center. In 2014, she purchased Arizona Skies Animal Hospital located in Cave Creek.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians and the National Speakers Association.
MEDIA AND HONORS:
Dr. Nelson has appeared in USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, DisneyFamily.com, The Ladies’ Home Journal and numerous radio and television interviews. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Duluth Kennel Club Award for Outstanding Small Animal Surgery and Medicine and the Carl F. Schlotthauer Memorial Surgery Award. The latter is presented by the University of Minnesota Surgical Faculty to a senior student “In Recognition Of Outstanding Ability In Veterinary Surgery.” As a student, Kris was a member of Phi Zeta, the Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine. The United States Customs Service awarded Dr. Nelson a commendation for her care of a drug-sniffing canine officer.