My first memories of my desire to be a Veterinarian were at about age six. I remember going with my Dad to his workplace where there was a very old dog that was quite ill. I can still remember thinking to myself, "Some day I will be able to help you get better."

Throughout grade school and high school, we always had variety of animals. Although we lived in southern California, it was a rural area. Horses, goats, ducks, dogs, and cats always populated the back yard. My college education was interrupted for a few years when Uncle Sam said, "We Want You." After returning from Vietnam, I began my studies again with a renewed dedication to my ultimate goal. After much hard work, I was accepted and graduated from Veterinary School in 1980. I moved to Arizona that summer and accepted a position at the original Veterinary Hospital in Tempe - University Animal Hospital. I was soon a partner and ultimately purchased the hospital in 1986.

Through the years, our community, Veterinary Medicine, and our Hospital have changed a great deal. Our hospital has grown from two Veterinarians and a staff of five, to nine doctors and a staff of 55.

In 1996 we moved into our dream hospital. We were proud recipients of a national award presented by Veterinary Economics who judged all new veterinary facilities built in the United States and Canada. We are now able to offer state-of-the-art medicine for our patients.
Degrees:

B.S. Zoology, University of California-Cal Poly, 1975

Davis Veterinary School, University of California, 1980
Affiliations:

Member of Arizona Academy of Veterinary Medicine

Member of Arizona and California Veterinarian Medical Association

Member of American Animal Hospital Association - Hospital Director

Member of American Veterinary Medical Association

Board Member of Emergency Animal Clinics of Arizona

Board Member of Arizona Veterinary Medical Association

Dr. Koch graduated from Arizona State University in 1976 with a degree in BioAgriculture. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1980.

Dr. Koch was the owner of East Maryland Animal Hospial in central Phoenix from 1984 to 2004. After a brief period at the Arizona Humane Society he came to Univeristy Animal Hospital.

Dr. Koch is certified with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Canine/Feline and Feline Specialists. He has a special interest in internal medicine and general surgery.

"Bob" is married and has a daughter and son in college. His interests include fly fishing and competing in triathalons. He has a Jack Russell Terrier, a Labrador Retriever and a "tuxedo" cat.

I didn't always know that I was going to be a Veterinarian but I was always known as an "animal" person on my block (no, this didn't have to do with the parties while the folks were gone). I have memories of riding around on my "Big Wheel" picking up worms and putting them back in the grass after the rain and taking toads off the sidewalk and carrying them off to safety.

My best friend and I once fostered a baby Robin that was thrown from its nest. My parents didn't start to object until I graduated up to fostering stray cats out of our stilt house in the back yard. Growing up in the suburbs didn't offer much farm animal exposure but whenever I got the chance I'd talk to the horses and cattle on my trips to the rural areas. On trips to the zoo, my parents had to pull me away from the primate exhibit. I would sit and watch them for hours (or they were watching me?).

In the seventh grade I was so nervous about dissecting the frog in school, that I couldn't eat breakfast. When I came home I couldn't wait to tell my mom how "neat the insides were." I had to describe (in more detail than she wanted) all about the anatomy of the frog. I was in the tenth grade when I started having great interest in the sciences and I decided to get a job at a "Vet" clinic. After witnessing my first surgery I knew I would become a Veterinarian.
Degrees:

* B.S. Michigan State University, 1992
* DVM Michigan State University, 1994

I can recall at the age of six my parents taking our family to spend a week on a Mennonite farm in Pennsylvania. This was my first exposure to a variety of animals. To this day, I have vivid memories of that trip: a litter of puppies, milking cows and riding a horse, to mention a few. Although at the time I had no idea I would someday be a veterinarian, perhaps subconsciously that was the beginning.

Through grade school and high school I was most interested in the sciences. I began college at the University of Arizona as a Pre-Medical student yet had no idea of exactly what I wanted in a career. Between my sophomore and junior year in college, I got a job working for our family veterinarian. This exposure enabled me to see up close what the profession had to offer. Although late in my education, it was at this point that I knew veterinary medicine was for me. My wife, on the other hand, knew that she wanted to be a veterinarian from childhood.

How time flies. I have now been a veterinarian over twenty years, the majority with University Animal Hospital (UAH). Besides being very dedicated to UAH, I have tried to involve myself in other aspects of veterinary medicine. I have held a variety of board positions in local and state veterinary associations.

I have also been involved with Companion Animal Association of Arizona many years, including being a founding member of The Pet Grief Support Service. I also instruct pet owners for thirteen years on how to perform CPR on dogs and cats. This is one of several topics taught by our doctors concerning pet first aid. Veterinary medicine is a wonderful career offering many daily challenges in dealing with people and animals. I am grateful to be in this profession and could not see myself doing anything else.
Degrees:

* B.S. Biology, University of Arizona, 1977
* DVM, Washington State University, 1981 (Cum Laude)

Awards:

* American Animal Hospital Association Senior Student Award for proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery.
* Small Animal Medicine Achievement Award

I was fortunate to have family pets as far back as I can remember. There was always a cat or two, a dog and, for my thirteenth birthday, I got my first horse named Geronimo. This horse taught me a lot as we worked through 4-H showing, trail riding and barrel racing. My first job in high school was as a veterinary assistant for Tom Chauncey Arabians, a breeding farm in Scottsdale, Arizona. I worked side by side with the veterinarians. I appreciated veterinary medicine as mostly science with a bit of art and had made my career choice.

While I was in veterinary school at Colorado State University, my emphasis changed from equine (horses) to small-animal medicine. The rigors and limitations of large animal medicine gave way to what I felt were greater opportunities to practice "high tech" medicine in the smaller species.

Every day I am rewarded with new challenges, relationships and opportunities to learn. Of course I love working with animals but I find I also appreciate interacting with their caretakers: they depend on us to keep their loving companions healthy and happy.
Degrees:

* B.S. Arizona State University, Magna Cum Laude, 1982
* D.V.M. Colorado State University, Cum Laude, 1986
* Member of the Academy of Veterinary Practice (since 1986)