A Verde Valley veterinarian is taking advantage of an opportunity she could not ignore.  But it means leaving Cottonwood.

Dr. Virginia Froehlich has been working at the Verde Veterinary Hospital for more than a year. 

She has enjoyed living in Cottonwood, working at the hospital and all the new friends she has made.  But recently, a veterinarian position at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah became available.  Her application was accepted and she will begin her career there in February. 

“An opportunity presented itself that I just couldn’t pass up,” said Froehlich. 

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit; no kill shelter, started in the early 1970’s in Kanab.  It houses over 1800 animals, with many available for adoption.  Best Friends is one of the largest shelters of its kind and has an annual budget of over $10 million.

Froehlich is known for her work with animals outside her position as veterinarian.  On her "day off" on Wednesdays, she takes two of her cats, Tiger lily and Peggy Sue to visit the residents of Alternative Senior Living in Cottonwood.

 “The residents have certainly looked forward to their visits and we are going to miss her dearly," said caregiver Patty Pardee.  "She will be hard to replace.”

Many of the residents could relate to Peggy Sue, as she is disabled with an amputation.  But that has not stopped her from volunteering her time to cuddle in the laps of the residents. 

Froehlich or “Virg” as she is affectionately known, can be seen behind the counter at Four Paws Emporium in Old Town every Wednesday afternoon.  The emporium  benefits Animal Aid Network. 

“Virg has been a fun addition to my Wednesday afternoon shift," said Kay Neuman, another volunteer clerk at the store.  "I am going to miss her.  I hear that some of the board members are making plans to visit her and the sanctuary sometime in the future.”