Profile - Dr. Danielle Fritz

Story appeared in the 2013 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.

BY LEANNE SCHULTZ, OPERATIONS & HR MANAGER
ALUMNI DR. DANIELLE FRITZ (‘98)

When QMS Alumna Dr. Danielle Fritz toured a veterinary clinic in her Kindergarten class, she knew right away that she wanted to be a vet when she grew up. Now, this notable QMS graduate has returned to the school to be the main veterinary caretaker for the school’s stable of over 40 equine athletes. Dr. Fritz graduated from QMS in 1998. Her choice to attend QMS was deliberate; she and her parents knew that the school’s strong science and math program would give her the strong foundation she needed to succeed in her pre veterinary medicine studies at UVic and her subsequent WCVM degree from the University of Saskatchewan. After completing her studies in Canada, Dr. Fritz took an internship at a veterinary clinic in Oregon, USA, to further her knowledge of surgery and anesthesia. In 2006, she returned to Duncan to practice Ambulatory Equine Medicine. In 2013, Dr. Fritz became the first veterinarian on Vancouver Island to perform an equine embryo transplant.

Dr. Fritz credits many aspects of QMS for her success in her field. The small class sizes were a key element. She also credits the enthusiasm of her teachers, such as Ms. Pelletier in Biology and Ms. Wood in Chemistry, both of whom were passionate about their subjects and shared their joy of learning with their students.

Dr. Fritz is committed to giving back to the school by providing opportuni-ties for current students at QMS. At the 2013 Speech Day Ceremonies, Dr. Fritz and her husband, Peter Holmes (jump course designer), established a generous scholarship that will cover all herd health veterinarian services to a student’s horse for a full school year and an entry fee to a horse show.