Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Sitter.
Hi Elizabeth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always surrounded by animals — dogs, rabbits, and all sorts of little critters who were part of the family. I loved caring for them, learning about them, and even as a kid, I knew I wanted to help animals live better, healthier lives.
As I got older, I began volunteering at small animal clinics and wildlife rehabilitation centers, and that’s where I fell in love with both the medical and biological side of veterinary care. But what truly drew me in was the human-animal bond — that deep, unspoken connection between people and their pets. It’s one of the most beautiful and powerful relationships there is, and I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to honoring and preserving it. Our animals know us and love us in ways that often teach us how to love ourselves better.
I went to the University of Virginia for my undergraduate degree, studying biology and completing my veterinary prerequisites. From there, I attended Oklahoma State University for veterinary school (Go Pokes!) where incredible mentors helped shape my clinical skills and broaden my medical knowledge.
After graduating in 2013, I spent the next decade working in general practice with dogs, cats, and pocket pets. I loved it — the medicine, the people, the stories, the relationships. But during COVID, everything changed. The veterinary field saw a massive increase in pet ownership, and clinics everywhere were overwhelmed. General practices were booked out for weeks or months, many weren’t taking new clients, and emergency hospitals were reaching capacity — something I’d never witnessed before.
That experience opened my eyes to a major gap in care. Pet owners with sick animals — but not true emergencies — were stuck between waiting weeks for an appointment or spending long hours and higher costs at an ER. I knew there had to be a better solution.
That’s when the idea for Aurora Urgent Veterinary Clinic began to form. I wanted to create a space that functioned like a human urgent care — same-day appointments for sick pets, open hours similar to a general practice, and priced more affordably than an ER. We’d handle the urgent-but-not-emergency cases, helping ease the strain on both GPs and ERs, while getting pets the timely care they deserve.
At the same time, I was also feeling the strain of burnout that affects so many in this field. Work-life balance and supportive environments can be hard to find in veterinary medicine, and I was determined to create the kind of workplace I had always wished for — one that was compassionate, balanced, and genuinely uplifting.
So, I took the leap. I started researching, learning everything I could about business ownership and leadership. During that time, I stepped away from GP work and joined an incredible team providing in-home euthanasia services. That work — helping families say goodbye to their beloved companions — was profoundly moving and healing for me. It taught me grace, empathy, and the quiet power of simply being there for others in their hardest moments.
In March 2024, my dream became reality, and Aurora Urgent Veterinary Clinic opened its doors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth or easy road — but it’s been so worth it.
When I started, I had no formal business training. Turning an idea into a functioning brick-and-mortar clinic took countless hours of research, planning, and learning by doing. I leaned heavily on advice from colleagues, other small business owners, and the unwavering support of my wonderful husband.
It was also a leap of faith. At the time I started planning, there were no standalone veterinary urgent care clinics in the Twin Cities metro, and even nationally, the concept was still new. I knew the need was there, but it was still uncharted territory. There were definitely moments of doubt and worry, but I kept coming back to my “why” — to help more pets and support the people who love them, while creating a healthy, happy space for the veterinary team that makes it all possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of Aurora Urgent Veterinary Clinic. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a same-day urgent care clinic for dogs, cats, and pocket pets. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we focus exclusively on urgent care cases — meaning we don’t do routine wellness visits or surgeries that can wait weeks. Instead, we’re here when your pet is sick and can’t wait, but it’s not quite an emergency.
In short:
• If it’s an emergency — go to the ER.
• If it can wait — see your regular vet.
• If it can’t wait but it’s not life-threatening — come to us.
Some examples of cases we commonly treat include:
• Ear infections
• Skin rashes or itching
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing, sneezing, or congestion
• Not eating or losing weight
• Minor wounds or broken toenails
• Limping
• Eye redness, discharge, or squinting
• New lumps or bumps
• End-of-life care and euthanasia services
We’re equipped with modern diagnostic tools like digital x-rays, ultrasound, in-house bloodwork, and an on-site pharmacy. We also have a full surgical suite for minor procedures, and we offer compassionate end-of-life services in a dedicated private room designed to feel warm and home-like.
What truly sets Aurora apart is our heart. We’re a small, family-owned business — not corporate — and every decision we make is guided by compassion. Our space was intentionally designed to feel calming and welcoming, both for pets and their people.
But beyond the medicine, what I’m most proud of is our team culture. The veterinary profession faces an epidemic of burnout and mental health struggles. The suicide rate among veterinarians is heartbreakingly high. From day one, I wanted to build a clinic that prioritized the wellbeing of our team just as much as our patients and clients.
Our guiding principles are simple but powerful:
Mission Statement: “To help as many pets as we can each day while still maintaining a good work-life balance and preserving the physical and emotional wellbeing of the staff.”
Vision Statement: “If compassion and understanding for the team come first, compassion and understanding for pets and their owners will follow.”
We live by these statements. We keep communication open, support one another, and lead with empathy. Not every day is easy, but when we take care of each other, everything else — from client experience to patient care — falls naturally into place.
I don’t claim to have it all figured out, but I’m constantly learning and striving to grow as a leader. I believe that when you put your people first, everything else — your patients, your business, your purpose — thrives.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Just that we’d be honored if readers would keep us in mind the next time their pet is in a pinch! Whether it’s something small but worrisome or they just can’t get in with your regular vet, we’re here to help — with compassion, honesty, and heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.auroraurgentvet.com
- Instagram: @auroraurgentvet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Aurora-Urgent-Veterinary-Clinic/61557220155318/
