First published 1996
Dr. Sarah Mitchell arrives at her first veterinary practice in small-town Wisconsin, armed with textbook knowledge but little real-world experience. Her confidence wavers when she faces her first emergency call to the Henderson dairy farm, where a sick Holstein threatens the family's livelihood. Sarah discovers that treating animals means navigating the complex relationships between farmers, their livestock, and the land they work. Each case teaches her something new about both veterinary medicine and rural life. When a disease outbreak threatens multiple farms in the county, Sarah must prove herself to skeptical farmers who question whether a young city-trained vet can handle their problems. The work tests her skills and stamina as she learns that successful veterinary practice requires more than medical expertise. It demands understanding the deep connections between people and their animals, and the courage to make difficult decisions when lives hang in the balance.
Genres: fiction, animals, medical, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Wisconsin
Period: Contemporary
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