Recognizing how big cats continue to face big challenges, it sheds light on the issues that could trigger many species extinction. As part of their "Vet for a Day" event, the veterinarians set up a full day of activities for the kids, including opportunities to care for animals and shadow Dr. Terrence Ferguson and Dr. Vernard Hodges as they work. Based in Cleveland, Ohio. That sounded great to me. We are doing career days and professional days," Dr. Ferguson added on how the vets reach out to the next generation of vets. Ben and Erin Schroeder put thousands upon thousands of miles on their truck as they crisscross Americas Heartland, employing their expertise to treat all creatures great and small. You will want to hear why growi. The two wonderful buddies talk about getting accepted into v If its a puppy stuck in a birth canal, I have to become an obstetrician and do a C-section, and then you have to become a neonatologist to save the puppy. It wasn't until I met my mentor that I decided to pursue becoming a veterinarian.". Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In the United States, only 2% of all employed veterinarians are black. I think if I had to move to a city, I wouldnt fit in very well. "We make sure phone calls get scheduled with kids even if it's three- or five-minute calls. "Now, regulars come in and stare at me even though you've been treating their pets for 15 years, and they want a photo. 'The Vet Life' is an American reality television series that airs on Animal Planet and follows three veterinarians in Houston, Texas, who work around the clock to save animals. Thats something you definitely going to see on our show besides good medicine. Couldnt afford it, Hodges said. The mean in-state tuition at US veterinary colleges is $32,000 and for nonresidents, $53,000. Even though we didnt have a lot of money, or a lot of other things, we still had our brains.. Wounds on the face can cause severe damage to the eyes, ears, or mouth. Headlining the event is the premiere ofThe Way Of The Cheetah (Wt) from world-renowned big-cat filmmakers,National Geographic Explorers Beverly and Dereck Joubert. Last time I cooked ramen noodles, they came out straight. Its invaluable, Dr. Ferguson says. We also got an old anesthesia machine and we made it work. Dr. Vernard Hodges and Dr. Terrence Ferguson are back in season 3 of Critter Fixers: Country Vets, with brand-new episodes kicking off on Saturday, March 26th at 9/8c on Nat Geo WILD.Based out of . Published: 8 Feb 2022. Each time it takes a little bit of you away. Were South of Atlanta. "We hope to use this legacy to create more minority vets and more kids knowing that veterinary medicine is an amazing profession," Dr. Hodges says. Earlier, Dr. Hodges and his business partner, Terrence Ferguson, DVM, did pregnancy checks on four alpacas and treated a . While the doctors were taught the basics while studying at Tuskegee, one of only 32 veterinary schools in the nation, they did a great deal of learning on the job. Get sneak peeks and free episodes all on Nat Geo TV. In the show, the veterinarians treat a turtle with a shell infection; an aggressive camel; a pregnant goat; a mysteriously overweight lizard; a dog with a horn; and morejust a sliver of the 20,000 animals the hospital treats annually. The Nat Geo Wild show Critter Fixers: Country Vets captures the vets hectic scheduleand the joy they derive from it. Wish me luck! The show follows three vegetarians, Dr. Diarra Blue, Dr. Michael Lavigne, and Dr. Aubrey J. Ross, on their day to day services on their animal hospital and the animal shelter they set up in Huston Texas. Samara Lynn is a technology journalist, covering the industry for a decade. Tune in Saturday nights at 10 p.m. EST on the Nat Geo Wild channel to watch Critter Fixers: Country Vets, and on Amazon Prime. Dr. Hodges's love for critters started with fish. Critter Fixers: Country Vets Hogs and Hisses. Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Byron, GA is a full service companion animal hospital. Believe it. Everything stops with us, Dr. Hodges says. "Critter Fixers: Country Vets" Premieres Saturday, March 7, 10/9c; 6 one-hour episodes Dr. Vernard Hodges and Dr. Terrence Ferguson are two lifelong friends who own and operate Critter Fixer . Nat Geo Wild. We basically mimic human medicine. I think for some people, their perception is that we dont or cant do it like they do it in the city.. The date is Saturday, March 7, and the Critter Fixers are out to show the good and the bad. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. CareerExplorer rates veterinarians with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet is well renowned as a hard-working vet doctor similar to that of Dr. Oakley Yukon Vet.The doctor's life is always not easy, and hardships come as well. 6 Traits Of Writing Rubric Elementary, After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology, Dr. Ferguson applied and was accepted to the prestigious Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. "The show follows our lives," Hodges said. Rescuing an Orphaned Bunny TV-14 | 02.21.2020. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology, Dr. Ferguson applied and was accepted to the prestigious Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. Watch the Critter Fixers doctors play a game of cat-and-mouse with Bernie the donkey in a Season 2 clip: VET APPRECIATION WEEK And before the cat, the veterinarians helped a baby duckling and a bearded dragon. Dr. Sandra now lives in Belding, Michigan . The National Geographic Partners cable net also set its annual Vetsgiving celebration for Thanksgiving weekend, starting on Turkey Day. Weekend-long event from Nov. 25-28, 2021 Dr. Ferguson developed an interest in animals as a kid after he rescued a dog that was hit by a car and nursed the pup back to health. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As usual, I looked at the schedule before rounds to see any issues that needed to be covered before we convened. However, providing exceptional care to patients and pet parents is only where their goals began. Just another site what happened to the 3rd vet on critter fixers Veterinary Clinics. Veterinarians and lifelong friends Vernard Hodges and Terrence Ferguson share their rural perspectives in Nat Geo WILDs Critter Fixers: Country Vets. (Dr. Hodges) looked at me and was like, No man, we dont want to be Byron. But that didn't stop them from becoming part of the 3% of veterinarians in the U.S. that are Black. According to a 2019 study, fewer than 1 percent of the 104,000 veterinarians in the U.S. are Black, falling from 2.1 percent in a 2016 study, per Time. "That time that you have with your pet, you need to cherish it. "I hadn't seen anyone like me as a vet. It's not every day that a producer from the National Geo Wild channel reaches out to two country doctors of veterinary medicine to star in their own reality television show. Spring. Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson founded Critter Fixers Veterinary Hospital in 1999. The docs, who own and operate Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital, located 100 miles south of Atlanta, work around the clock with their loving staff to bring heart, soul and a lot of humor to their . Please be assured we are here to help! COVID update: Springwood Veterinary Hospital has updated their hours and services. Critter Fixers: Country Vets Season 3 3 The Lizard of Hodge . Newlyweds Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams Explore Magic Kingdom, Plus More Celebs at Disney Parks! Rolling out had a chance to sit and speak with both doctors at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown to gain some insight on how two college students continue to maintain their business partnership 30 years after graduation day. As Hodges explains, Critter Fixers is approximately three hours, in every direction, from any major veterinary hospital. Even with this full schedule, the veterinarians always make time to inspire any child dreaming about life as a vet. It is our commitment to provide quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet. "We love it," Dr. Ferguson said, adding that he "figured out the impact of the TV show" when a client from New York visited the Critter Fixers practice with her mother. I've always felt safe and happy to bring my dog here for his treatments and checkups, having a deaf dog is a huge responsibility, yet I wouldn't trade the little guy in . "It's one thing to see a cute dog, it's another thing to get up close and smell a dog.". Still, trying to start a veterinary practice from scratch anywhere does present certain challenges. Lets be Critter Fixer.. Well, this situation happened to Dr. Vernard Hodges and Dr. Terrance Ferguson, the joint owners of Critter Fixer Veterinarian Hospital in Bonaire, Georgia. BIG CAT WEEK Tuition began rising above inflation in the 1990s and roughly 85% of veterinary students now have debt. A few weeks ago, I came to work. It feels good to tell them 'You can do this!' Females spayed too early may develop urinary incontinence. And it's become a mission of the longtime friends, both dads themselves, to show Black and Brown youth that their dreams can be a . Would love your thoughts, please comment. We decided that we could make our own way. When National Geographic called in 2018 and asked Hodges if he'd be interested in doing a television show, Hodges said he thought it was a prank. Sharing is caring! Highlighting these seasoned professionals and their empathy, love and devotion, Vetsgiving is the ultimate viewing feast to enjoy with the ones you love. Very upset about various sporting events. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "Sixty kids worked for us, we wrote their recommendation letters for school, they interned with us, and then they graduated from veterinary school," Dr. Hodges said, adding that many employees go on to become veterinary technicians as well. This is why I hate discussing money with owners. In his spare time, Dr. Ferguson follows his true passion by volunteering, coaching and mentoring Central Georgia Students involved . During that span, I slipped a little bit and was like, I dont know if I can do this. But I met that person at the right time. Critter Fixers: . Now that Hodges and Ferguson have that platform they plan to make the most of itand fix a lot of critters. Their years at Tuskegee were instrumental for more reasons than learning the ins and outs of the profession: The university instilled in them a sense of confidence. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. It was only until his sophomore year of college that he ever met another Black veterinarian, and he changed courses back to his original childhood dream. We significantly improve essays both for clients who write poorly and for clients who write well. Feb. 13 2020, Updated 3:31 p.m. Dr. Vernard Hodges and Terrence Ferguson are back! . Nat Geo Wild's video. Critter Fixers: Country Vets Vet for a Day. Black people are increasingly embracing pets as family; something that has not gone unnoticed by the vets of Cy-Fair.