By Jerry Kehr
Farm staff teach student employees to milk the cows. Veterinary students practice exams. Undergraduates learn animal care, handling, reproduction and farm management. Graduate students conduct research for their theses or dissertations. All these groups care for the cows, but who is ultimately responsible for animal health? This interview with Dr. Jerry Kehr, DVM, campus veterinarian, describes his role and responsibilities at the new Michigan State University Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center.
I like to ask people for a fact about themselves: What is something people should know about you?
Having grown up with a variety of animals, I enjoy having a few around even now. I have a few sheep that I keep around as a hobby flock to raise a few lambs every year. I find satisfaction in taking care of my own animals.
Why did you choose large animal practice as a veterinarian?
After graduating from veterinary school, I practiced in a mixed animal practice in Western New York for 1.5 years. I soon gravitated toward the large animal side of the practice. I always thought that would be my career path because I have fond memories of a veterinarian visiting our small farm when I was younger and then shadowing them on farm calls as I became more interested. I think working outside and the relationships built with the farm owners and workers suited my lifestyle better.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I have a more typical work week than a typical day since I have a variety of responsibilities. Generally, I do routine work at the campus farms on Monday and Friday mornings. Although always available for emergencies between visits, the farm managers and staff know my routine and will have cases to check banked on those days. For things that arise between farm visits, I will often talk with or text farm staff who may only need advice about an animal.
I also do rounds at our biomedical facilities that house livestock species. These are generally done on the days that I ordinarily don’t visit the livestock farms as an extra precaution for biosecurity. Finally, I spend office time reviewing the protocols for MSU-owned animals used for research and teaching to make sure they are keeping the health and well-being at the forefront. This also includes consulting with those investigators using the various animals.
Source : msu.edu