Dr. Jennifer Creed is a highly skilled and experienced veterinarian with a specialized focus on purebred cats, such as Ragdolls. She has dedicated her career to providing expert veterinary care, with extensive experience in feline medicine, breeding, and rescue. Dr. Jennifer Creed has given educational presentations, including a continuing education lecture for cat show judges on managing respiratory diseases in catteries.
Dr. Creed spent 15 years at Emergency Veterinary Services, where she provided overnight care, performed emergency surgeries, and oversaw veterinary teams. Her surgical experience includes cystotomies, gastrotomies, enterotomies, gastropexies, and wound repair. She also worked as an associate veterinarian at Carol Stream Animal Hospital, where she treated both companion and exotic animals.
She earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to her veterinary work, she is involved in Ragdoll cat breeding and rescue, as well as supporting farm animal sanctuaries and organizations such as The International Cat Association and the Traditional Cat Association. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, weightlifting, and vegetarian cuisine.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I wake up, get the kids to school, then start feeding my pets—the cats and kittens, dogs and horses. Next, I go to work at the animal hospital. Helping the animals is how I am productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I visualize the outcome of my idea and find ways to make it come true. I never give up.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I like the idea of pets being allowed in more places, such as cafes and yoga studios. Pets are so good for our health.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I take small bites of a task, so I don’t get overwhelmed.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You miss every shot you don’t take.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
All workspaces should be open to well-behaved pets.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Exercise every single day and take care of your health.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I exercise or ride my horse, which resets me.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
You need to visualize where you want to be, then make a flexible plan to get there. Don’t be afraid to change course if your needs change.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I was unhappy at my first job, so I went to work at an animal emergency clinic. I worked there happily for 18 years!
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Instagram to post pictures of the kittens easily.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I bought my family a nice dinner, and it was great to be together. We even got to bring our dog and eat outside.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
VETgirl is great for current CE.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“Stranger Things.” It was exciting and also about family.
Key learnings
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
- Never give up.
- Pets make our lives better.