Sterling Sigmond Animal Hospital
MOMentum Moms: Sterling Sigmond always knew that she wanted to be a veterinarian. There was never a Plan B. She recounts a story her mom tells from when she was around five years old and rescued an injured grasshopper from her home in Golden Gate Estates. From then on, she was hooked. That began a lifetime of owning unusual pets, including a baby crocodile, birds, hermit crabs, goats, ponies, chickens, rabbits, pigs (Pinkie Pig, to be specific), mice, turtles, and, of course, dogs and cats. (She currently owns a hedgehog which she says is more of a night owl, so not the most interesting pet.)
Sterling, clearly an animal lover, has lived and cared for animals in the Naples area her entire life. Her parents hail from Connecticut but, searching for a warmer climate, drove as far south as they could. Born in Lee Memorial hospital in 1978, Sterling is a proud product of Collier County Public Schools. Her sister Monet, also of Naples, chaperoned Sterling’s first date at the tender age of 16 with her high school sweetheart (now husband), Scott. She met him when she was 14 but was too young to date, so she claims he endured endless board games with her family. Fast forward to 2017, and with 14 years experience as a veterinarian under her belt, she decided to take on the challenge of opening her own practice, Naples Coastal Animal Hospital, located at 956 2nd Avenue North.
Tell me about your decision to open your new business. After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Florida in three years, I graduated from [UF] vet school with a degree in Animal Sciences. I worked for a newly opened animal hospital in the area for two years, and then for 11 years at another wonderful local animal hospital. I always knew I wanted to work on domestic animals and be part of the family atmosphere of Naples, and even raise my own family here.
I have always wanted to provide more personalized medicine and care, allowing more time for my clients, and even home visits. Down the line, we plan to provide concierge care, which would allow clients access to my cell phone, after-hours visits, and in time-sensitive cases [I would] meet clients at the emergency hospital and act as a liaison and facilitate for them. We currently don’t have these types of services in animal medicine here. Also, we will provide specialized individual needs regarding vaccinations or titers (blood test to gauge the level of vaccine still in an animal’s body). This is extremely personalized medicine.
What was your family’s take on your decision to open your own business? My entire family was extremely supportive. The kids even drew pictures that they brought to school of what the new practice would look like! In January 2017, I started the process. I met the wonderful ladies at Wholesome Hound and became aware that there was space available next door on 2nd Street North. I went to the city council for lengthy discussions, received approval (they voted unanimously for me as they, too, saw the need), and now the mayor brings his pet to me. He even cut the ribbon on our opening day.
How do you balance being a mom with your professional and charitable obligations? I really just try to live in the moment. My mom always nudges me to take time now to ensure that I’m a part of my kids’ lives when they are older. I want them to know that I always have time for them. I am lucky because I’m able to have my husband and family join me in my charitable endeavors so they can experience giving back, which is a great lesson for the kids. We participate in the local “Bark For Life” event, which is supported by the American Cancer Society and raises money and awareness for pets with cancer. I also work with local rescue groups on difficult situations they encounter. We recently fostered four puppies whose mother could no longer care for them as her milk had dried up. We received a call and immediately took on all their vet care, bottle feeding them day and night and house training them until we could adopt them out to good homes. We were really happy as they probably would not have survived without our care. I strongly believe in giving back to the local public schools, so I frequently support school and PTO fundraisers and offer a “Vet for the Day” raffle prize, which allows the winning child to shadow me all day, seeing patients and even viewing x-rays and surgery. I also go into many public schools in the area to talk about age-appropriate topics like pet handling and medical issues. I really love to be able to do this.
What is a typical week night like for your family? We are constantly running from one extracurricular activity to another! My kids love swim, book club, drama, and Mathletes. On a rare quiet night at home, we all get into our PJs and eat pizza, play games, and watch a movie. My husband is a great cook so he loves to get us all around the table for family meals and to recap our day.
Do you have any favorite local spots you like to go as a family? We love Brooks Burgers! The kids love the Popsicles they give out after dinner. And Peace, Love and Little Donuts is a favorite. Every morning my son Vanden begs to go there for breakfast. We also love to hang out at Cambier Park every Sunday to regroup with family, relax, enjoy church in the park, as well as taking the dogs and kids biking on the Gordon River Greenway.
What’s the best parenting advice you’ve received? Bob Marino, my best friend’s dad, always says to divide your responsibilities into four quarters: urgent and important, urgent and not important, not urgent but important, not urgent and not important. Prioritize your day based on that formula. I try to do this.
Best and worst part of your kid’s current ages? With Catalina (11) and Vanden (9) being so close in age, often they are in the same clubs as they have similar interests, so that can create clashes between them. They love being together but, as all siblings do, they also need time apart. Also, I sometimes find it sad that they don’t need me as much as they did when they were little. But on the flip side, we now have great conversations. They want to learn so much, about everything! And when we don’t know the answers, we say to them “Oh, that’s a great thing for YOU to research.”
Your proudest moments as a mother?
When they show kindness. They’ve both been recognized for it at school, which makes me so happy. Recently, Catalina asked to sit next to an ESL [English as a Second Language] student displaced by the hurricane to help her adjust to a new environment, and now they are really good friends.
What are your hopes and goals for 2018? Once things are fully up and running at the practice, I want to get out into the community even more to hold educational talks on pet care or on specific topics like wildlife hazards to pets. I want the practice to be a place we hold drop-in sessions and a place that all pet owners in the community feel comfortable visiting. People are already loving it as much as we are, and we want to see that continue.
