Creating a legacy of rural veterinarians

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Media Contact: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu

For many veterinary students, graduation marks the conclusion of years of studying, training and personal growth.

For Will Shelby, it also signifies the continuation of a family tradition, one that is rooted in rural veterinary medicine and cattle husbandry. When he walks across the stage this spring to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University, it won’t just mark the closing of his academic journey but the beginning of the latest chapter in a legacy started by his father.

Dr. Troy Shelby earned his DVM from the same institution and built a career treating cattle and serving the needs of livestock producers.

For both Shelbys, caring for livestock is more than part of their profession; it’s a way of life.

Troy Shelby earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from OSU before beginning veterinary school. He graduated from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Shortly after finishing school, he married his wife, Merrily, and they had two children, Levi and Will.

“I don’t remember exactly when I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I always knew I wanted to take care of cattle and veterinary medicine was the path I chose,” Troy Shelby said.

The elder Shelby worked for a small animal veterinarian in junior high school, but instead of working in the clinic, he worked with his cattle. Since then, he has focused his career on bovine herd health and serving livestock markets.

For 28 years, he has provided veterinary service to the Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Ada. For the past 15 years, Troy Shelby has also provided service to the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. He does herd health work across southern Oklahoma and is currently the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association president.

Troy Shelby passed his love of cattle onto his sons.

“Raising, marketing and caring for beef cattle quickly became an integral part of my life,” Will Shelby said. “I particularly enjoy the animal husbandry aspect of getting to be a cattleman, and this played a huge part in me deciding to pursue veterinary medicine.”

Will Shelby said he was fortunate to follow his dad around often. It was then he saw the difference that veterinarians can make. A combined passion for animal husbandry and his father’s influence led him to pursue a path in veterinary medicine.

For Will Shelby, OSU was also a natural fit for veterinary school. OSU is not only his father’s alma mater, but he said all his mentor veterinarians are OSU CVM alumni.

“These men and women have made such a difference in my life and always seemed to be so loyal and caring about my future, not only as a veterinarian but as an individual,” Will Shelby said. “There always seemed to be an attentiveness to personal details about patients and clients that I believed to be different. This seemed to always trace back to their education and training they received in Stillwater. They always held the veterinary school in such high regard, and this was something I knew I wanted to be a part of.”

After graduation, Will Shelby plans to return to southern Oklahoma and start a food animal practice.

“I would like to do ambulatory medicine and potentially work as the veterinarian at a weekly livestock auction,” Will Shelby said. “I eventually want to build a facility where I specialize in general bovine medicine as well as theriogenology.”

During this time, he said he plans to work under his father’s mentorship, seeking his guidance as he begins his career in veterinary medicine.

Children of veterinarians have a unique perspective because they get to see firsthand the challenges and rewards of the profession. Will Shelby was no exception.

“Having a veterinarian as a father has shown me that although this career may not be the easiest job in the world, the joys and rewards of it far outweigh the costs,” Will Shelby said.

Troy Shelby said Will has always talked about being a veterinarian. Going through 4-H and FFA, veterinary medicine was a frequent topic of his — so much so that his parents questioned whether they had pushed him into it.

No matter what career path Will Shelby chose, Troy and Merrily would have been proud of his efforts, but veterinary medicine was ultimately where his passion lay.

Will Shelby’s decision to pursue veterinary medicine wasn’t a sudden realization but a gradual understanding shaped by years of growing up in a family where animal husbandry and livestock care were at the heart of daily life. Tagging along with his dad gave him the hands-on experience of seeing what life as a rural veterinarian is like. He could see the impact Troy Shelby was making on people’s lives, not just with the animals but with the relationships he built with his clients.

“The most rewarding part of my career is just doing work that I enjoy, and I feel like it’s what I was meant to do,” Troy Shelby said.

As a rural veterinarian, he values his connection to the community and recognizes the important role rural veterinarians play in supporting and strengthening it.

“Our producers depend on us, as veterinarians, to be a part of their team,” Troy Shelby said. “Not only in emergency situations but to help improve their bottom line and overall herd health as well as the economic benefit of veterinary services we can provide them.”

In his career, Troy Shelby embraces a “leave it better than you found it” approach. He takes pride in playing a role in Oklahoma’s agriculture industry and is dedicated to helping make continual improvements and advancements. In his role on the Oklahoma Veterinary Medicine Authority and as a CVM Alumni Society class representative, he recognizes the importance of helping to improve the school for the next generation of veterinarians. Having a child in veterinary school has only added to that desire to make it a better place for the future.

“The younger generations are going to be the future,” Troy Shelby said. “It’s not about us anymore, it’s about paving the way for the future generations that are coming through.” 

He has put this into action, mentoring Will and many others along the way.

“One thing that inspires me most about my dad, and something I hope I can be half as sufficient as him in, is his commitment to working harder than anyone I know for his family,” Will Shelby said. “His commitment to his career, while maintaining a kindness and care for the people around him, is something that makes him a superhero to me.”

Will Shelby can’t overstate the impact the rest of his family has had on his journey to becoming a veterinarian as well.

“My mom has been a huge driving force for me, especially when it comes to academia,” Will Shelby said. “She has pushed me in so many ways and often has encouraged me to do things I didn’t particularly want to, but as I reflect, I know that she always had my future in mind, and I’m very thankful for her.”

He also attributed his success throughout veterinary school to his wife, Hunter, and the support and care she has provided him.

As Will Shelby concludes his time in veterinary school, he leans on the advice his dad has offered him over the years.

“He always tells me to just do my best,” Will Shelby said. “When I give my best, I know that will always be enough, whether it leads to a success or failure. As long as I am doing that, I can have peace in knowing it’s all I can control.”

At the same time, Troy Shelby can’t help but feel proud as his son’s graduation approaches.

“I am very proud he chose to follow in my footsteps, and I hope that he’s as excited about it as I am,” Troy Shelby said.

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Photos By: Taylor Bacon

Story By: Taylor Bacon | Vet Cetera Magazine