For years, I remember a longing I felt to make connections in the turtle world. I remember during the early days of theTurtleRoom and even in the years before, just wanting people to trust me, to work with me, to talk to me. It was a tough realization for me, that I was outside of my normal circle. Local reptile people, basketball teammates, and friends and family always came to me for advice. They knew their secrets were safe with me, that I would be a good listener, and genuinely cared about their emotional well-being. It’s who I am, honestly, to this day.
Looking back on it now, if I could speak to my younger self, I would use that opportunity to remind myself that these things take time. This was the case, I knew. It just takes time to build connections, to come together with someone, often in a superficial manner at first, with hopes that trust can begin to be established. With time, connections did grow for me, likely due to the growth of theTurtleRoom. I am very grateful for that. However, one particularly difficult to build connection was that with a qualified exotics veterinarian who treated turtles and tortoises. For years I worked with some good vets, but a combination of turnover and my own shortcomings as a veterinary client made it difficult to make real connections.
Soon after I began working for VCA Animal Hospitals in 2018, a young doctor started at the Veterinary Centers of America in my hometown. Diva Malinowski-Green, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine started in March of that year, and when I met her I became immediately excited. She worked so close to my home that I literally passed by the clinic on my morning jogs – when I could get myself out of bed to actually do so. This was the hospital I walked into as a kid, maybe 7 or 8 years old, with a baby bird that had fallen out of a tree. It was my hometown hospital, and she was so excited to work with exotics and try things out.
Having no idea what to expect, I went into my new professional relationship with Dr. Diva with a bit of excitement and lots of optimism. Her excitement was enough for me. Many people look for the most experienced doctors when treating their beloved pets and I do not argue the importance of that distinction. However, I will say that personally, nothing beats a doctor who is in your corner, willing to research, work with you and do whatever it takes to do what’s best for your animals.
Dr. Diva is exactly what you want in a veterinarian. She is honest about her experience, brilliant and always willing to go the extra mile for your animals. Whether anwersing the phone or emails with unlimited questions is just the start of it. Together, in the last few years, she has performed important, sometimes life-saving, procedures on a number of the world’s most endangered turtles and tortoises. Her experience builds every day and her ability to do her work with a smile never waivers.
Recently, with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on communities being felt across the world, veterinary professionals have been as busy as ever. Business has never slowed for us. Even at the peak of lockdown measures, we have been here, serving the public. Dr. Diva has been working extra hours, as she always does, risking her own health to help animals in need. She is truly a veterinary hero, and if you live in the Connecticut area, she may be the exotics veterinarian for you.
Be sure to check out her veterinarian blog, at Dr Diva off the leash
