Introducing Dr. Fran Bergkoetter, new veterinarian at Delta Vet Clinic

SIKESTON -- Meet Dr. Fran Bergkoetter, a new veterinarian at Delta Veterinary Clinic in Sikeston.

Bergkoetter grew up in Southern Illinois in Okawville, a town an hour southeast of St. Louis, where her dad raised beef cattle.

She then went to Southeast Missouri State University where she completed the pre-veterinary program and served as the president of the Pre-Vet Club for a year. After graduation whe was accepted to the University of Missouri Veterinary School where she earned her degree.

After graduating from Mizzou, she returned to southeast Missouri in May to take a job at the Delta Veterinary Clinic.

"It is really hard to find good, quality medicine in rural areas sometimes, so when I saw how well they did here I was definitely interested in coming to this practice," Bergkoetter said. "It's been really good."

Bergkoetter had another reason to come back to the area too.

"I am dating a vet in Jackson, Mo., and he graduated the same year I did so it worked out well," she said. "We both understand when it gets crazy with work hours and stuff."

Bergkoetter said her favorite part of the job is making new long-term relationships with clients and their pets.

"I like watching puppies grow up," Bergkoetter said. "That's awesome."

She has a dog herself in a two-year-old German short-haired pointer mix named Cooper. "He's a wild child," she laughed.

Bergkoetter joins Dr. Brian Heuring, who joined the Delta Veterinary Clinic in 2008.

To schedule an appointment at the Delta Veterinary Clinic call (573) 471-1832. The Clinic, located at 603 Brunt Blvd., is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday.