Professor List – 15 Top Large Animal Veterinary Professors

Search Programs

While the basics of veterinary medicine may be applicable across many different types of animals, those veterinarians who work with large animals face specific challenges. This is why anyone studying to become a veterinarian who specializes in treating large animals would do well to study with the top professors in that specific field. The professors on this list are highly regarded and work at top veterinary schools around the country. Each has dedicated him or herself to the welfare of large animals, including livestock and horses, and to educating the next generation of large animal veterinarians.

Dr. Robert J. Callan

Colorado State University

Dr. Robert Callan is head of the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Callan acts as Chief of Staff for the Large Animal Hospital. He holds a PhD in Veterinary Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and is a diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, specializing in large animals. Dr. Callan teaches and provides clinical care for large animals at CSU and has done so for nearly two decades.

Dr. Norm G. Ducharme

Cornell University

Dr. Norm Ducharme is the James Law Professor of Large Animal Surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, he is a diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and Medical Director of the Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals at Cornell. He has previously served as President of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and currently focuses his time on equine research at the Equine Performance Clinic and Equine Hospital.

Dr. Mike Apley

Kansas State University

Dr. Mike Apley is a professor and section head at the University of Kansas College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pharmacology with nearly 20 years of teaching experience in the field of large animal medicine. In 2007, Bovine Veterinary Magazine named Dr. Apley one of the most influential veterinarians in the cattle feeding industry for his years of research and dedication. Dr. Apley is also a contributing editor to Beef Magazine.

Dr. Frank M. Andrews

Louisiana State University

In addition to his responsibility as a large animal professor at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Frank M. Andrews is Service Chief of Equine Services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital & Clinics and Chief of Staff at the Large Animals Health Studies Program. Dr. Andrews is a diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, with a concentration on large animals. In 2008, he was awarded the Webster Pendergrass Award for Outstanding Service in agricultural sciences.

Dr. Laurent L. Couëtil

Purdue University

Dr. Laurent L. Couëtil is a professor of large animal medicine at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine. His research and teaching focus is on equine sports medicine including exercise physiology and respiratory disease in athletic horses. He is a diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and has contributed to numerous articles, books, and manuals in the field of large animal medicine.

Dr. Noah Cohen

Texas A&M

Dr. Noah Cohen is Professor & Associate Department Head for Research and Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is also the Director of the Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory at Texas A&M. In 2008, he received the Schering-Plough Animal Health Applied Equine Research Award for his dedication to the health and wellbeing of large animals, particularly horses. His research has proven critical in the care of horses around the world, particularly those afflicted with respiratory diseases.

Dr. Donald Sanders

The Ohio State University

After beginning a family veterinary practice with his wife in Urbana, Ohio and finding success with large animals, Dr. Donald Sanders went on to become an associate clinical professor at the Ohio State University Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine. As a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists, Dr. Sanders has contributed significant work to the science of food animals, particularly at dairies around the country.

Dr. Carl A. Kirker-Head

Tufts University

Dr. Carl Kirker-Head is an associate professor of Orthopedic and Large Animal Surgery at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Dr. Kirker-Head is also the Director of the Orthopedic Research Laboratory and has extensive experience working with large animals, particularly in the field of equine orthopedics. Dr. Kirker-Head's research into bone regeneration has attracted attention for both its veterinary and military applications. He is also the Marilyn M. Simpson Professor at Tufts, a prestigious distinction at the prestigious institution.

Dr. John Madigan

University of California Davis

Dr. John Madigan is a Professor and Researcher in medicine and epidemiology at the acclaimed University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Madigan is a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine as well as the American College of Animal Welfare. His research and clinical focus is on equine health, with specialization in neonatal medicine and critical care. Dr. Madigan has been the recipient of many awards, including the Pfizer Award for Excellence in Research, the American Association of Equine Practitioners Distinguished Service Award, and the UC Davis Distinguished Professor Award.

Dr. G. Arthur Donovan

University of Florida

Dr. G. Arthur Donovan is a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Donovan's research interests include dairy herd management as well as epidemiology. He is a diplomate with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners where he has a specialty in Food Animal Practice. Dr. Donovan was also presented with the Superior Accomplishment Award from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Dr. James Moore

University of Georgia

Dr. James Moore is a professor of large animal medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. His research includes contributions to literature about Equine emergencies with a special focus on endotoxemia and sepsis in horses. In 1998, Dr. Moore was the recipient of the David Tyler Award for Innovation in Teaching. He has received many other commendations from sources such as the World Equine Veterinary Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Dr. John Fetrow

University of Minnesota

Dr. John Fetrow is a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, where has won numerous awards and accolades for his work in Bovine Medicine. He was awarded the Merck AgVet Award for Creativity in Teaching, the College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Award from the University of Minnesota, and the Norden Award for Distinguished Teaching in Veterinary Medicine, making him an ideal inclusion as a top large animal vet tech professor.

Dr. Dee Griffin

University of Nebraska, Great Plains

Dr. Dee Griffin is a Feedlot Production Management Veterinarian and professor at the University of Nebraska Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center. He has been specifically recognized for his work with the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Quality Assurance program, with which he has been involved for decades. He has a particular research interest in the effects of cattle nutrition on beef production and quality. In 2012, Dr. Griffin was honored as the Beef Quality Assurance Educator of the Year.

Dr. Sheila McGuirk

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Sheila McGuirk, Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine and Food Animal Production Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Veterinary Medicine has distinguished herself as a top large animal veterinary professor. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and teaches courses in cardiac disease in horses and cattle as well as food animal production medicine. Dr. McGuirk studies and implements new protocols that can reduce dairy animal mortality around the world.

Methodology

In order to choose the professors on this list, specific criteria were used. This is not a definitive list of large animal medicine professors in the United States, but each professor included here has proven him or herself to be a passionate, dedicated, and educated individual who has worked tirelessly to spread knowledge to the students that pass through their lives.

First, the professor had to act as a professor or associate professor at an accredited university veterinary program. Those who had additional responsibilities at a teaching hospital or as a department head had an advantage as these distinctions display a high commitment to teaching and to their program.
Because this list is specific to large animal medicine, the professors included all have a focus on large animals in their courses taught as well as their clinical research and publications. Both bovine and equine specialists, as well as general large animal veterinarians were considered.
Those professors who have been honored with awards for their contributions to large animal medicine were more likely to be included. Awards for teaching were given special consideration as well.
Finally, where information was available, research funding and special grants were determining factors. Professors with ample funding are able to further their research better and therefore provide a more robust experience to their students.

Barry Franklin (Co-Founder)

Before co-founding Sechel Ventures Partners LLC, Barry Franklin was a VP at a Silicon Valley software company. Currently, he is an investor and advisor for Impellia. Barry believes that education and lifelong learning are paramount. Barry met his wife at Carnegie Mellon University and they have two beautiful daughters. He also volunteers for various committees at his kids’ high school.