“A Dog’s Life” is a Good One for Vet’s Family
By Patricia Hudson
“Bobby and I grew up in two small towns, Devine and Natalia, Texas. Despite living just five minutes apart, and even though our families had known each other for years, our paths had never crossed. We met after my sophomore year at the University of Texas at Austin; my cousin Kimberly introduced us,” explains Bridgeland resident and veterinarian, Dr. Cheryl Morales.
Veterinary medicine was not always Cheryl’s chosen field. “My intention was to pursue a career in some type of biomedical research. I spent a summer in the Houston Medical Center working in a lab. Great experience but I quickly realized that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life in a research lab. So, after my sophomore year at UT, I joined The PreVet society. (Editor’s note: The PreVet Society’s main goal is to expose students to a variety of opportunities in the field of veterinary medicine and to help those students reach their goal of admission into veterinary school). I started volunteering at an animal shelter and then moved up to working at a kennel and vet tech assistant while still at UT Austin. I had always loved animals and was the kid that would try to bring home stray cats, so it made sense,” relates Morales.
After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in Biochemistry, Morales was accepted to Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. “We were married after my first year in vet school. When I graduated vet school in 1999, I accepted my first veterinary job in Houston,” recalls the vet. “At the same time, Bobby was accepted to Texas A&M University, where he received a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He commuted back and forth from Houston to College Station for four years so that I could work at a local veterinary clinic in the Prestonwood area. Bobby’s work in the oil and gas industry moved us to Corpus Christi, Tyler and back to Houston. His area of expertise is in oil and gas well completions. He is currently working as a consultant,” shares Cheryl.
Cheryl has practiced as a small animal veterinarian in the Houston area for over 15 years. In 2013, she opened Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital, where she serves the communities of Northwest Houston. In her practice, Dr. Morales cares for dogs, cats, rabbits and other small pocket pets.
Bobby and Cheryl have two daughters. Catherine was born in 2001, and Ana came along in 2005. Catherine is a senior at Cypress Ranch High School. She was a member of the Ranch Color Guard for two years and was active in the Animation Club. Catherine has been accepted to Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. She will study creative writing and illustration. An avid reader and writer, she enjoys digital art. She has high praise for her principal, Mr. Michael Maness. “I started out with him at Warner Elementary School, and am finishing school with him at Cy Ranch. He has done so much to encourage the Arts at the school, and is so supportive of all of his students,” she declares.
Ana is an 8th grader at Smith Middle School. She has studied dance at Steppin’ Time Performing Arts Center in Cypress for the past nine years and has competed with their company group for four years. Ana’s favorite style of dance is tap and contemporary. She is a talented artist in her own right, focusing on detailed sketches and painting.
The expectation that someone that tends to the four-footed residents of Cypress, would also have a few pets of her own. When I stopped by the Morales home to do a photo shoot, I was greeted by two very friendly little canines, and met several new friends of the feline variety. “We have two dogs, Angus and Charlie, four cats, Abby, Sugar, Gumball and Frappe, and two rats, Benny and Jet,” admits animal lover, Cheryl. (I’ll have to admit I was relieved not to have made the acquaintance of Benny and Jet!)
“We have been members of the Foundry Methodist Church on Fry Rd since 2012. We were invited to visit by our friends, the Meyers family, while church was still being held at the local Cinemark theater. We fell in love with the people and the message of unity and purpose. During the Harvey relief efforts, we saw our church work hard to help our community. In order to find ways to serve, we have helped in the church cafe, with the Cy Hope Backpack program, and with sixth grade confirmation classes. We are so proud of what the church has done in our community and find ourselves so blessed to call Foundry our church home.”
With each of the family members being involved in their own activities, their biggest challenge is not being able to spend enough time together due to their busy schedules. “We love to travel together and try local foods everywhere we go. Our favorite places to eat in Cypress include Alicia’s, Rice and Bean Cuban Cuisine, Retro Cafe, MOD pizza and Smashburger. We also love the new restaurants and snack shops at Katy Asia town,” comments Morales.
