In Memory: Dr. Christa Marie (Paxson) Young (PU DVM 2008)

February 4, 2022

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family mourns the passing of Dr. Christa Marie (Paxson) Young of Kissimmee, Florida, who died January 13, 2022 from a pulmonary embolism. She was 39.

Born in LaPorte, Indiana, she graduated as valedictorian from LaPorte High School in 2001 and then enrolled in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, earning her DVM degree in 2008. Following graduation, Dr. Young began working in emergency veterinary medicine in the Chicago area. In 2010, she moved with her husband to Florida and four years later opened her dream practice, the Bellalago Veterinary Hospital in Kissimmee. She served as chief veterinarian there until her passing.

Dr. Young is remembered as an extraordinary advocate for and lover of animals, caring for her patients as if they were her own. Her dedication to the well-being of animals was so great, she even was known to jump from a moving vehicle to rescue an animal she saw in the street.

When Dr. Young established her hospital, she served as an advocate for her patients, making decisions about their care with a focus on quality and keeping them happy and healthy. Dr. Young’s dedication to her patients continued after hours, as she would even dedicate evenings and weekends to researching and trying to find out more information about obscure medical issues involved in some of her cases. She is praised as a veterinarian whose love for her patients was such that many of them looked forward to visiting her at the clinic. She even was known for singing to them and sitting with them to help calm them.

In her free time, Dr. Young enjoyed quilting, biking, cooking, traveling, camping, nature, and all things Disney – especially the character Pluto. She and her husband also had lots of plants, a cat, and a tortoise. Regarded as a person who was strong in her faith, Dr. Young was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Kissimmee.

Dr. Young is remembered for being kind and caring, as well as quick to share her infectious laugh and able to find joy in all things. A self-giving person, she was working on a large, extra warm quilt for the homeless at the time of her passing.

A funeral service was held January 26 at the Osceola Memorial Gardens in Kissimmee. The family is asking that memorial donations be made to the Bellalago Veterinary Angel Fund, which is being renamed in Dr. Young’s honor. Donations to the fund will be used to help deserving pets receive critical, life-saving treatment. Click here to make a donation.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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