Dr. Courtney Campbell is a man on a mission
Whether it’s performing surgery on a pet in need or hosting his hit veterinary news program, Vet Candy Watch, Dr. Courtney Campbell is always on the go.
And it shows!
Today, he works as a multimedia animal health advocate as well as a board-certified veterinary surgeon.
Raised in Burlington, Connecticut, he fell in love with animals at a young age. In fact, Dr. Courtney likes to joke that it’s entirely possible he was raised by wolves (though given his wonderfully gracious and approachable attitude, we highly doubt that!) At the age of ten, Dr. Courtney was gifted his first puppy. Combined with an interest in wildlife and animal health and wellness, this led him to pursue his dream of becoming a vet.
A love of animals meets a natural gift for entertainment
Had you asked Dr. Courtney Campbell if he wanted to pursue veterinary media after completing vet school, his answer would likely have been, “Excuse me? What’s that?”
And yet, today this is precisely the field he finds himself in.
Veterinary media is an important part of the pet ownership landscape. It’s one way people can access trusted information. By tuning in to a daytime talk show or listening to a podcast, pet parents get to hear directly from qualified professionals who are equipped to share their knowledge and experiences, answer questions, and discuss topics that might otherwise go unnoticed. While having an up close and personal conversation with your family veterinarian may be limited to once yearly checkups, anybody can watch television segments featuring a veterinarian 24/7.
In this field, Dr. Courtney excels.
The best way to get an audience’s attention? Use a mixture of education and entertainment, or “edutainment” as he likes to say!
In addition to being the host and producer of Vet Candy Watch, Dr. Courtney is also a reoccurring guest expert on The Rachael Ray Show, CBS The Doctors, Home and Family, as well as many other talk shows. From practical tips (like how to cut your pet’s nails) to lifesaving information (such performing canine CPR 101) Dr. Courtney tackles it all with a friendly smile.
No time to watch tv? No worries. He also hosts a podcast, Anything is Pawsible.
One thing his worldwide listeners all agree on – Dr. Courtney has a gift for presenting information in a fun and exciting manner. He has mastered how to balance clinical work alongside the media and communication aspect of helping animals and is an excellent role model for both current and aspiring veterinarians everywhere.
Why is advocating for diversity in veterinary medicine important?
What’s more, Dr. Courtney Campbell is a passionate advocate for diversity in the veterinary profession.
According to research in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, of all health professions, veterinary medicine ranked among the worst for segregation. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association published a piece citing that it was “one of the country’s whitest professions.” Only 2% of vets in the U.S. identified as Black in a 2017 census.
Naturally, these statistics raise concerns.
That is why Dr. Courtney chooses to do diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work.
He himself was the first African-American veterinarian to be the recipient of the Global Pet Excellence in Journalism and Contributions to the Pet Industry Award. In his own words, “Everyone should do their part to foster the love of animal medicine for all people no matter their race or gender. The contributions of African-American veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and research scientists should be recognized and celebrated.”
Without a doubt, Dr. Courtney is a star who shines bright in the world of veterinary medicine.
Want to learn more? Follow Dr. Courtney on social media @drcourtneydvm
