cats, cheetahs & petcare: Stephanie Bonnette, DVM

As an Area Chief of Staff in and around Kansas City, Dr. Stephanie Bonnette brings passion, leadership, mentorship, and creative thinking to Banfield every day. Find out more about her in this recent interview!

What inspired you to help pets?

I had a cat growing up that really helped me through some emotional trouble while my parents went through a divorce. And this cat was the most anti-social cat ever. But if I was feeling sad or stressed, he would come out and sit on my lap and purr. That bond we had helped me see how important a pet can be – from a support system to a friend when you need a friend to a nonjudgmental partner :) . I really firmly believe in cat therapy and the human-animal bond.

In school, growing up, I spent a lot of time studying Jane Goodall, who did a lot of zoological research on Chimpanzees. I was really inspired by all the work she did.  At the time, I really liked learning about big cats… and specifically, I started to really appreciate Cheetahs, especially as they were on the endangered species list and close to extinction. And so my initial career path was to get a doctorate in zoology and study Cheetahs. I basically wanted to be like Jane Goodall for Cheetahs. 

How did you transition from big cats to small cats (and dogs)?

My first animal-related job was as a volunteer zookeeper at the Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk, Virginia, where they had an Ocelot (my second choice, after Cheetahs). But one day, my husband said “You should really get a job in a vet hospital… you talk about your pets, you love pets, and there are a lot more jobs.” 

So, I got a job at a kennel assistant, cleaning kennels, and then as a veterinary assistant… and I loved that job. I did not mind cleaning up poop, did not mind medicating pets, I loved it. It was during my sophomore year of undergrad that I decided to pursue vet school. I worked with my advisor, changed everything around, applied to several schools, and was able to get in.

What drew you to Banfield, and how have others supported your career?

I chose Banfield because of the support network they offered me. I had a great mentor, Dr. Brenda Burnham. She was fantastic, and I’m still in contact with her. Over time, she inspired me to look at the people management path, because she was a wonderful people manager. She provided really great support, genuinely cared for her direct reports, and shared her passion for teaching with me. She was always there to teach me new things and answer any questions. That's what I try to be for the doctors in my area. 

I stay with Banfield because of the encouragement to practice evidence-based quality medicine amongst a skilled network of veterinarians. The support for personal growth and development is another key factor. The Area Chief of Staff role has allowed me to blend my passion for pets and quality medicine with my passion for teaching and development.

When you’re not working with your team and all the pets, what do you enjoy doing?

When I'm not super busy at work, I really like to travel – but during the COVID pandemic, I've taken up reading fiction, too. I also really like live music and live shows, so my daughter and I are going to all of the Kansas City Broadway shows this year. In Kansas City, we've got a great scene for pretty much anything you want to do.