Dr. Jared Pitt ’08 was just eight years old when he got his first hands-on experience with veterinary medicine.

“My aunt had a Siberian Husky that was experiencing a difficult birth,” he recalled. “Her veterinarian made a house call and allowed me to help deliver and warm the puppies. Holding those little fuzzy creatures in my hand solidified in my mind that a veterinarian was what I wanted to be.”

Pitt, who also enjoyed childhood explorations in the woods behind his home to find animals in their natural habitat, now works with all types of animals as a veterinarian at Greenfields Veterinary Associates LLC, in New Jersey. He primarily treats dogs and cats, along with the occasional rabbit and guinea pig. His specialty interests are ophthalmology and soft tissue surgery.

“I have always had an affinity for animals of all shapes and sizes,” he said. “The thing I enjoy most is making clients happy when I treat their ailing pet; knowing that I can extend that human-animal bond is a great feeling.”

As an LVC undergraduate majoring in biology, Pitt worked at nearby Annville-Cleona Veterinary Associates with Dr. Bruce Keck, who introduced Pitt to the everyday life of a veterinarian. As a veterinary assistant, Pitt obtained patient histories, practiced phlebotomy, took radiographs, and assisted the doctors in any way he could. “I always had a clinical reference book nearby so that I could learn more about a particular syndrome or disease,” said Pitt.

As a veterinary student at Tuskegee University in Alabama, Pitt received a scholarship through Pfizer Large Animal Health for an internship at a large animal facility. He returned to Annville-Cleona—this time traveling with Dr. Keck to farms for herd-checking, surgeries, and well-checks of dairy cattle.

He says his work experience while at LVC, coupled with a strong biology curriculum, prepared him well for his career.

“Dr. Alan Wolfe’s [professor emeritus of biology] Cell and Tissue Biology class used the same book that my histology course used in veterinary school. I was well prepared for that class, and in general, LVC taught me time management, discipline, and focus,” Pitt said. “LVC’s science programs are top-notch. I was so far ahead of many of my colleagues in vet school due to my collegiate studies.”