My Take Tuesday: The Society for Theriogenology

Greetings from 30,000 feet! I’m en route to Sacramento, California for one of the highlights of my professional calendar—the annual conference of the Society for Theriogenology.

After years of virtual meetings and remote learning, it’s a gift to once again gather in person. There’s something irreplaceable about face-to-face conversations, hallway catch-ups, and hands-on learning that simply can’t be replicated on a screen.

This conference has been a summer tradition for me since 2007. Each year it’s hosted in a different city, but the anticipation is always the same—I count down the days until I can reconnect with friends and colleagues who share my passion for animal reproduction.

So, what exactly is Theriogenology?

It’s the branch of veterinary medicine focused on reproduction: the physiology and pathology of male and female reproductive systems across species, as well as veterinary obstetrics, gynecology, and andrology. In human medicine, it would take an OB-GYN, a neonatologist, and an andrologist to cover what a single theriogenologist does. From antelope to zebras, from embryos to parturition, this field demands curiosity, precision, and a deep understanding of comparative biology.

My own journey into theriogenology began at Southern Utah University. A mentor named Dan Dail introduced me to the discipline and entrusted me with a research project exploring the relationship between body condition scores and conception rates in synchronized beef cattle. That experience—and his mentorship—helped shape my path to veterinary school.

At Washington State University, I had the privilege of learning under Dr. Ahmed Tibary, a world-renowned theriogenologist whose influence spans textbooks, research papers, and generations of veterinarians. His comparative approach taught me how to think critically and reason through complex cases. We worked together on numerous studies, especially in camelid reproduction, and those years remain some of my most cherished.

Theriogenology has sharpened my clinical instincts and broadened my view of medicine. Whether I’m in the clinic with cats and dogs or out working with elk, alpacas, or water buffalo, the principles I apply come from this foundation. Comparative medicine is what makes my brain move—it’s where science meets curiosity, and where I feel most at home.

In the lobby of Mountain West Animal Hospital, a small statue rests on a cabinet—a gift from my time serving as president of the Society for Theriogenology in 2018. It’s a depiction of Nandi, the sacred bull of Hindu tradition, symbolizing purity and fertility. Nandi is a Bos indicus bull adorned with gold and silver, tracing back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, where dairy farming was central to life. Temples in India still honor him to this day.

That statue is one of my most treasured possessions. It reminds me daily of the journey I’ve taken and the people who’ve shaped it.

What sets reproductive specialists apart, in my experience, is kindness. They are approachable and generous with their knowledge. In a profession that can sometimes reward ego, these veterinarians lead with humility. Many serve in leadership roles at veterinary schools across North America, quietly shaping the future of our field.

I’m proud to stand among them.

This is my favorite conference of the year. I’m eager to learn, to grow, and to bring new knowledge back to my practice. And I’m grateful—for the mentors, the friendships, and the beautiful, challenging, ever-evolving world of theriogenology.

And that is My Take.