Angel's Doctor featured

Cumberland vet works with area farm critters, pets
by Jo Arn
Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 8:46 AM CST
Dr. Gregory Schmitt, D.V.M., of Cumberland presented a "Veterinary Medicine" video program for residents and guests of Allen House on Thursday afternoon. He recalled treating some of the farm animals and pets of several Allen House residents' through the years, and the audience enjoyed visiting with him about those days.

In fact, Dr. Schmitt took over the Cumberland Vet Clinic from the late Dr. Ray Denham in February 1986. Denham's widow, Helen, is a resident of Allen House and was there to visit with Schmitt.

ISU education

A graduate of Iowa State University in 1979, Schmitt received his DVM degree and was employed from June 1979 to February 1986 by Orange City Veterinary Clinic, P.C. of Orange City. .

He grew up in Marne, the son of Elmer and Shirley Schmitt, and graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1973. Schmitt and his wife, Karen, were married in 1975. They now live in Cumberland, where he has his veterinary office and also owns an acreage near town where he raises a few cattle. The couple has five children: Megan, Teri, Jedediah, Marielle and Levi; and one grandson, Colby.

Schmitt's main patients are cows and calves, but he also works with hogs, sheep, horses, and pets. The friendly vet works out of his office a block off Main street, where Teresa Stender serves as secretary, and Richard Swain is his assistant. The hours are long during calving time which starts in February and lasts until May.

When an auction is held at Massena Livestock Sales, Dr. Schmitt is there to help with the transfer of all the data needed in the identification of the animals being sold. USDA tags are used to identify animals at the sales barn. Brands are not used much in the state of Iowa as they are used in the western states for identification of animals.

The clinic's office numbers include: 712-774-5414, 1-800-497-2597; and after hours, Dr. Schmitt may be reached at 712-774-5618.

Dr. Schmitt remembers one client who brought her dog into his office. The dog was having urinary problems and the client was describing what she had been doing to "help" the dog because it was leaking urine. She put a pair of her undergarments with a sanitary pad on the dog so it wouldn't make a mess all over her house(the client was very sincere about the actions she had taken to help her dog.)You can only imagine the energy it took to keep the outbursts of laughter held in.