Dr. Erin Brockhaus grew up just a few miles from where she practices today, raised on her parents' cow-calf operation in Warrensburg, Missouri. Her love for agriculture and food-animal medicine led her to the University of Missouri-Columbia, and after graduating, she headed south to soak up some Texas charm before the Missouri weather (and her newly adopted Texan pup, Mack) brought her back home.

Now at Lee's Summit Animal Hospital, Dr. Brockhaus is known for her dedication, empathy, and passion for her patients, clients, and colleagues — qualities that recently earned her the prestigious Ortu Stella Award from the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.

We asked her nine rapid-fire questions about her roots, veterinary medicine, and what keeps her going.

Large animal medicine 🐄 or exotic medicine 🦎? Large animal medicine - I feel much more comfortable around a 1,000-pound animal than a 1-pound snake.

Surgery 🔪 or diagnostics 🔬? Surgery - To cut is to cure, helping patients feel better by removing a mass / diseased teeth or saving a life with a foreign body surgery provides an indescribable feeling of gratification.

Mentoring new vets 🤝 or continuing your own education 🎓? Both! Continuing to learn the gold standard of medicine or new techniques is always fun but I have always enjoyed teaching others and love seeing a new vet gain their own confidence.

Big city clinic 🏙️ or small-town practice 🌾? In Between - Working at Lee's Summit Animal Hospital (Lee's Summit is just outside Kansas City) has been the perfect mix of rural medicine but also some of the highlights of big city living. Go Chiefs.

Teaching in the classroom 📖 or hands-on training in the field 🌾? Hands-on training in the field - Though there is more anxiety you have to overcome learning in the field, the knowledge sticks so much faster and can be much more practical for long-term use.

Dog person 🐶 or cat person 🐱? I have three cats and a dog - I would have said cat before I got my rescue dog Mack. We got him in Texas while living there and he has been an amazing addition to our family. He is the best boi. So -- Tie.

Hiking 🥾 or golfing ⛳? Golfing - It's a lifetime sport, plus we walk the course if we can, so that's basically hiking.

Missouri BBQ 🍖 or Texas BBQ 🔥? Missouri BBQ 100% - Sorry Texas, you're just too dry.

Podcast 🎙️ or music 🎵? Music – There's nothing better than a good jam-out session to start the day.