Drager

“Our town, our people” is a weekly Q&A with a local resident who is active in the community. Have a suggestion for someone we should talk to? Email T-R news editor Emily Barske at ebarske@timesrepublican.com. 

This month marks Dr. Dennis Drager’s 31 years in Marshalltown. He is the medical director at VCA Animal Hospital – The Vet.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: “What I enjoy most about my job is helping people with the care and needs of their companion animals. Being involved in and serving the community is very important to me. Serving the community has always been a passion of mine, where I can be helpful serving on different boards and helping with community projects. It’s has just been very important to me since I came into town. (I) raised my son here in this community. The community has been good to me and I like to do my best to give back to my community. My favorite activity, outside of work, is spending time with my granddaughters.”

Q: What community activities do you participate in?

A: “I’ve been involved with the American Legion, both on the board and the golf committee. I’ve been involved with Boy Scouts, both as a Boy Scout leader and fundraiser for the Boy Scouts. (I) served as president of our local Rotary board. We’ve done a lot of speaking at schools and having kids come to learn about veterinary medicine at the clinic. (I’m) currently co-chair of the United Way campaign, been involved on my church board, been involved with the Animal Rescue League, not only the Animal Rescue League, but rescue organizations for animals in the community. I was on the Chamber board for several years, including serving as chair, and I helped found the Men Of Faith In Action group in Marshalltown. ”

Q: What do you enjoy about this community?

A: “I think this a very close-knit community that works well together. When there is a project that needs to be done you can count on community support, both financially and hands-on help. This community has really come together after the tornado one year ago. It’s mind blowing to me to see what JBS has done for the community and their employees, and what Lennox stepped up and is doing and has done in the community. Everybody helped in some way. That’s impressive to me. I’m proud to be a member of this community and to see how this community really works together.”

Q: What changes do you feel need to be made in the community?

A: “I think one of the things that could be improved is communication of the future goals that the leaders of this community see and (have them) better communicated to the entire population of the community.”

Q: What advice would you pass on to young people?

A: “I think if they’re looking for a great place to raise their family and be involved, you can’t do better than Marshalltown, Iowa.”

Q: What is your favorite Marshalltown activity?

A: “I think it’s just being involved in the community.”

Q: What social activity or event would you like to see come to Marshalltown and why?

A: “I’m excited about what we are doing at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and I’m just hoping that once that’s through, we can utilize that as a resource to bring opportunities for concerts and things for people to enjoy in our community. The coliseum just excites me with the potential opportunities that con benefit the community as a whole.”