Area woman fights back from accident, joins dad's animal clinic
Dr. Kelsie Gerber recently joined her father, Dr. Ted Gerber, at Country Corner Animal Clinic, where Ted has been tending to cats and dogs since 1982. The journey to the father-daughter partnership was delayed after Kelsie's 2018 accident that left her a paraplegic.
At the intersection of Kidron Road and U.S. 30 in Eastern Wayne County, Country Corner Animal Clinic has been a local fixture for decades. Dr. Ted Gerber, DVM, has been the heartbeat of the clinic since 1982, tending to the pets of Ohio with unwavering dedication.
This August, however, marked a new chapter for the clinic as Dr. Kelsie Gerber, DVM, Ted’s youngest daughter, joined the family business, bringing a story of resilience and renewal.
On May 12, 2018, Kelsie Gerber’s 29th birthday, her life took an unexpected turn. While in her third semester at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts, she suffered a severe fall, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left her a paraplegic. Her medical journey began with an emergency evacuation to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where she underwent spinal fusion surgery, involving two rods and 18 screws to stabilize her spine.
Returning to Ohio, Gerber faced the task of reapplying to veterinary schools. Ross University’s campus was not accessible, and she needed a new academic beginning. Accepted at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she embarked on an unprecedented path in fall 2020 as the school’s first paraplegic vet student. Starting from scratch, she faced an additional challenge as she adjusted to life in a wheelchair while pursuing her degree.
“I often joked with my mom that my spinal cord injury was my full-time job and vet school was just my side hobby,” Gerber said.
Her tally included 110 doctor visits, nine surgical or anesthetic procedures, 28 physical and occupational therapy sessions, and 16 MRIs or imaging studies. This did not account for the countless hours spent in transit, waiting rooms or on the phone with insurance companies.
Gerber’s path to veterinary medicine was not straightforward. Initially pursuing a career in marketing, she discovered her passion for the medical field, much like the rest of her family. After relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina, she completed her prerequisites for veterinary school while working as an overnight vet assistant at an emergency and critical care hospital.
“I saw so many amazing cases and experienced veterinary medicine from a perspective beyond just my dad’s practice. I absolutely loved it,” she said.
Now as she steps into her role at Country Corner Animal Clinic, she is eager to contribute to both the care of pets and their owners. Her father has expressed his hope that she will not only carry forward the clinic’s legacy, but also eventually take over its operations.
“Six years ago, when Kelsie fell and became a paraplegic while studying veterinary medicine, it seemed like her future here might be in jeopardy. Yet she has persevered through tremendous challenges,” Ted Gerber said. “Her return and success in completing her studies at Ohio State, hopefully paving the way for other students with disabilities, is a testament to her resilience. Now we embark on this journey together.”
The clinic has made several adjustments to accommodate Kelsie Gerber’s needs. An exam table has been installed that can be adjusted to match the height of her wheelchair, allowing her to lift patients from the ground with ease. Additionally, she uses a standing electric wheelchair, which enables her to “stand up” next to the surgery table during operations.
“We’re figuring out what additional equipment I need as we go. It’s a lot of trial and error,” Kelsie Gerber said. “Sometimes I don’t realize a need until confronted with it. Living with a disability has made me an excellent problem-solver. Veterinary medicine is a physically demanding field, but I’ve learned to leverage my staff and ask for help. The support from them has been invaluable.”
Both Ted and Kelsie Gerber are working together at the clinic most days, exploring ways to enhance the practice. Ted anticipates Kelsie’s presence will bring in new technologies and innovations that he, nearing the end of his career, might not have had the opportunity to implement.
“We are currently adapting the building to be more wheelchair-friendly and are continually assessing what changes might benefit our practice,” Ted Gerber said.
Kelsie Gerber acknowledges the critical role of her support network in her journey. “I don’t think I could have achieved what I have without this amazing community,” she said. “It truly takes a village.
“I’m often told how inspirational I am, but it’s not just me. I’ve had a whole team of people praying for me, supporting me financially and uplifting me in ways I can’t fully describe. I am incredibly thankful for my family, community and staff.”
The community’s support extends to the clinic’s clientele, who have been welcoming her with open arms.
“I’m grateful for our clients’ warm reception of Kelsie,” Ted Gerber said. “Thanks to Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine for accommodating a paraplegic student and to our staff for embracing the challenge of adapting our facility. Anyone who knows Kelsie and her journey is proud of her, and my wife and I are especially proud.”
Country Corner Animal Clinic remains open to scheduled appointments on weekdays, offering care exclusively for dogs and cats. For more information visit www.countrycorneranimalclinic.com.