Veterinarian Overview
A Plantation, Florida native, Dr. Robert Burgess joined Native Palm Animal Hospital in March 2012. "My father was a medical doctor, so I got my love of medicine from him," Dr. Burgess says of what inspired him to become a veterinarian. "But I always loved being around animals." Dr. Burgess earned his bachelor's degree in animal and dairy sciences from Auburn University, where he graduated cum laude in 1987. While there, he was a member of the Outstanding College Students of America. He went on to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and was Phi Beta Kappa and chairman of the Honors Committee. He graduated magna cum laude with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. He says he finds great satisfaction in his chosen profession because of his ability to make a "positive difference in the life of a family pet via diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses [and] comforting people by assisting them during difficult situations." One of Dr. Burgess's most memorable clinical experiences involved an indiscriminating 1 year-old Standard Poodle and some ingested foreign objects. "The owner thought he had eaten a sock," Dr. Burgess recalls. "We proceeded to do an endoscopy exam and removed three socks, a pair of workout gloves, two pairs of underwear, and some ribbon. The owners vowed to put away their dirty clothes from then on." Dr. Burgess is a member the Treasure Coast Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. His professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, and dentistry. When not practicing veterinary medicine at Native Palm Animal Hospital, Dr. Burgess devotes time to mission work in Haiti, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. He has an Australian Shepherd named Balto. Dr. Burgess also enjoys fishing, skiing, reading, and watching movies.
