Sometimes, even if things veer off script, they have a way of working out for the best. That’s how it went for Goose Creek Pet Hospital owner, Dr. Donald Zuber.
After graduating from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge in 1994, he enrolled at hometown Louisiana State University. Because that’s what high school grads did in his family. But it was the start of a touch-and-go post-secondary education experience. “There are a lot of doctors and lawyers on my dad’s side of the family, so (going to college) was kind of expected of me,” says Dr. Zuber. “My dad advised me not to become a lawyer, but the truth is, I had no clue what I wanted to do.”
After a few years, he withdrew from college and started working in the restaurant business. It was work he found personally gratifying, having advanced quickly from dishwasher to manager.
Eventually, he realized he wanted to become a veterinarian, so he returned to LSU and worked as a bartender and as a vet tech to help pay for his tuition. But a conversation with one of the bar’s regulars led to another education disruption for a career diversion, this time as a pharmaceutical sales rep. On the surface, it was a smart career move as he routinely ranked among his company’s top 10 or top five producers. “But it wasn’t for me,” he says. “I really missed the clinic.”
By 2008, with the economy entering a recession, he decided to enroll at LSU for a third time. But there was still one hurdle to clear. “The vet school only accepted grades that were earned in the preceding six years, and it had been more than 10 years since I was in school,” he says. “So I had to retake all my prerequisites. It was interesting being a 30+ guy in classes with 18-year-olds.”
While attending classes, Dr. Zuber returned to work part-time at the same clinic where he had been previously. He met Ashley, the woman he would marry. And with a newfound focus, he completed his requirements in 18 months, instead of 24. Then the time came to apply to vet school.
“The letter from the admissions office arrived in the mail and Ashley brought it to me at work,” he recalls. “We opened it and read it on the front porch of the clinic.” The letter was confirmation of his acceptance to LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and he and Ashley celebrated. They hugged and cried like babies, which was appropriate because 10 days later, Ashley gave birth to their first son, Tripp.
Shortly after his graduation in 2015, the Zubers and their young family, which by then included their daughter, Connely, moved to the Nashville area. “Ashley’s sister and her husband live here, and we had been visiting every six months since the time we were dating,” Dr. Zuber says. “We were thinking about moving either here or to Dallas and it was a very short conversation. We love the area. It’s beautiful and has great schools. It’s great to experience the change of seasons and to live where people are so laid back. I can’t say enough about it.”
You could say the laid-back vibe extends to Goose Creek Pet Hospital. Dr. Zuber, who had worked at various practices in the area, went to work at Goose Creek in August of 2022 and purchased the practice, located at 4400 Franklin South Court, from founder Dr. William Pals, in 2023.
“I truly enjoy the relationships we have with our clients,” says Dr. Zuber. “Pet owners share a common bond and, during healthy visits, it’s not unusual for me to spend as much time chatting about life in general as I do examining their pets.”
Dr. Zuber says that during the heat of summer, managing your pet’s outdoor activities is as important as a healthy diet or administering monthly heart, flea and tick medications. “You have to guard against heatstroke during this time of year,” he says. “Schedule your daily walks in the early morning or evening hours. If you take your pet out during the day, limit the activity to just a few minutes. It’s obvious when they feel the heat. They’ll be panting excessively, and it could sound raspy and stressed.”
Dr. Zuber says this is especially true for bulldogs, boxers, cavaliers and “any breed with a smooshed face. Their respiratory systems are not equipped to handle intense heat and they can overheat easily. Keep them cool, let them lay down in the shade, and it’s a good idea to carry a bottle of water with you.”
That way should things veer off script, they’ll have a way of working out for the best. GooseCreekPetHospital.vet