Dr. Joseph Bruner is a clinical assistant professor in the small animal internal medicine service.
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a rather large family of eight (five siblings and my parents). It was never my intention to become a veterinarian; rather, I had visions of becoming a pediatrician. However, my interests changed dramatically during my undergraduate classes in zoology, which led me down the veterinary medicine path.
I applied and was admitted to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine by early admission and completed my veterinary training in 1992. I relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, and practiced at The Pet Hospital of Willoughby for two years.
I found this time in general practice to be immensely beneficial since it still provides me with a perspective concerning veterinary general practice and the successes/struggles that private practice veterinarians endure.
I completed a small animal rotating internship at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, where I received the veterinary teaching award and many accolades for my efforts in clinical instruction. After completing a residency in small animal internal medicine at Purdue University, I once again returned to private specialty practice, this time in Detroit, Michigan.
I acquired board certification in small animal internal medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. My residency training prepared me well for the rigors and caseload of a non-university specialty practice, but also fostered my interests in respiratory/pulmonary and diagnostic medicine.
In 1999 I established the Greater Cincinnati Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Services in northern Kentucky as the first regional multispecialty practice serving the veterinary community in southwest Ohio, southeast Indiana, and Kentucky. Although my professional career was mostly focused within small animal internal medicine and oncology, I occasionally provided veterinary services to the Newport Aquarium and had the incredible experience of working with large marine fish, sharks, and freshwater otters.
After a 25-year career in private specialty practice, I have returned to my academic roots to explore my passion for teaching while still playing to my strengths in diagnostic medicine and advanced specialty care.
I am married to Dr. Stephanie Bruner, who is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. I have three adult children, three French bulldogs (whom I love deeply), a Bolivian blue-throated macaw, a box turtle, and a gargoyle gecko.
I enjoy travel and experiencing exotic culinary dishes. I am also fluent in Italian.
How did you become interested in SA Internal Medicine?
My decision to undertake a career in veterinary medicine started much later than many of my colleagues and fellow veterinarians. Hence, I was uncertain what direction I was going to pursue in veterinary medicine after graduation. I became more definitively interested in internal medicine during my fourth year at OSU when a very respected professor encouraged me to pursue specialization.
Despite his assertions and encouragement, it was my time in general practice that led to my realization that I did not enjoy surgery and general wellness care. I prospered on the challenging cases that incorporated many co-morbidities and required a more in-depth approach to care. During my internship I realized that small animal internal medicine would provide me that intellectual challenge and would foster my insatiable pursuit of knowledge.
Tell us about a favorite case of yours.
After 25 years of private specialty practice, it’s difficult to choose one singular case that would be considered my favorite. Because of my interest in pulmonology, I am proud that I was able to make a positive impact in the lives of many patients with persistent cough and severe respiratory disease. I still receive Christmas cards and gifts from my wonderful clients throughout the years.
While in private practice, I was presented with many broad and differing cases that extended across a wide range of clinical conditions. I have seen patients exhibiting problems involving the nostrils all the way to the tip of the tail with myriad presentations in between. I consider my experience and expertise in diagnostic medicine as the most important attribute I bring to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the referral veterinary community. Jokingly, I am Dr. House with a better bedside manner.
What are your special interests inside or outside of the clinic?
As stated previously, my academic and research interests are mostly centered on diseases of the respiratory tract and pulmonology. Brachiocephalic Airway Disease is a special interest due to my own dogs and the multifactorial nature of the condition. I especially enjoy my interactions with students, interns, residents, and clients. I find that teaching clients about their pets and educating our future veterinarians provides me a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment as I perform my second act in a profession that I truly love.
Outside of the clinic, I enjoy taking long walks with my wife and dogs through city parks, state parks, and U.S. national parks. It is our goal to see as many national parks as possible. We enjoy bicycle riding and spending relaxing time reading a book in a coffeehouse. My wife and I love to travel to Europe, and we try to spend as much time as possible in Italy and other far-off locations.
