Dr. Bradshaw is an instructor in the small animal primary care service.
Tell us about your background.
I grew up nearby in Clark County, Illinois, on a grain and beef cattle farm (very typical Midwest). I was always the kid playing with barn cats and stray dogs, so naturally I was drawn to vet med from an early age.
I did 4-H, FFA, sports and all the clubs that I could. I went to Purdue for both undergrad and veterinary school. After graduation, I spent a year in mixed animal practice in rural Tennessee; then my husband and I moved to the Atlanta metro area, where I switched to small animal only.
After Georgia, he got a faculty position (in mechanical engineering) at Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. We spent 8 years there, and we brought our two boys into the picture. He got recruited to UI, so we moved back “home.”
How did you become interested in primary care?
I had been in small animal private practice for 12 of my 13 years as a vet. When my husband had his interview with MechSE, I found out that primary care was hiring. I figured I could give the academic life a try.
I truly enjoy being a practitioner, and if I can help the upcoming doctors learn, then maybe I can impart some of my knowledge.
Tell us about one of your favorite cases.
There are so many good stories from practice. I don’t think I can pick just one, but I probably have a case that can relate to almost any situation.
What are your special interests inside or outside of the clinic?
I love water-skiing, so if it’s nice out (and not super windy), you can bet that we are out on the lake.
