Doug held several jobs as a youngster, and even started a few businesses.  You name it and he probably did it, including piloting houseboats, teaching SCUBA and swim lessons, selling sound equipment, and giving brewery tours.  There was even a stint working for the Mouse in Orlando. He volunteered for La Crosse Area Underwater Rescue and Recovery Unit throughout his undergraduate years, before heading off to Veterinary School in Madison.    

These days, you can most likely find Doug (and probably Kim) at Central Animal Hospital any day of the week.  Sure, being open to serve pets in the community on Sundays takes some sacrifice, but the need is great.  The best part is, Doug truly is in the best profession – he absolutely loves his work.   In addition to patient care, he has clinic-owning duties and a lot of philanthropic work.  He has donated veterinary services to many organizations in the past, but the most high-profile VIPs now are our state and local police K9 officers.  Doug started a medical wellness program for all the K9s in the Wisconsin State Patrol over a decade ago. When he learned that these officers weren’t all afforded the same, high level of preventative, medical, and surgical care, the team stepped up. Others have come along since then, with the Central Animal Hospital staff providing care for the Onalaska, Holmen, Tomah, and Campbell Police Departments as well as the La Crosse County Sheriff’s office.  Doug and his Frau are extremely blessed to be able to give back and provide everything these VIP K9s need. 

Doug grew up with Oktoberfest, which made taking a position on the Board of La Crosse Festivals, Inc. in 2009 a relatively easy decision for him.  Professionally, he has led nearly every veterinary organization he is a part of, including the Coulee Region Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, having just finished the Presidency of this national organization.  Both Kim and Doug own and practice veterinary medicine at Central Animal Hospital in Onalaska; they also enjoy mentoring future veterinarians and technicians.  You can find them at work, which is one place they both love to be, as well as hiking with the dogs, or perhaps on a beach somewhere warm.