Area veterinarian to be awarded

Dr. Randal Bennett named 'Food Animal Practitioner of the Year'

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Dr. Randal Bennett

January 30, 2003 -- As livestock and pet owners, veterinarian are a crucial component to our life. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) recognizes this importance by honoring outstanding practitioners for their contributions and service to the veterinary profession each year.

This year, Dr. Randal Bennett, from Quitman Animal Hospital in Quitman, has won the "Food Animal Practitioner of the Year" award. This award is presented to a veterinarian who handles food animals (such as pigs, cows, goats).

"I didn't expect this," Bennett said. "It's nice."

Bennett, a 1984 Louisiana State University graduate, was nominated by his Northeast TVMA (NETVMA) colleagues and then was chosen by the TVMA awards committee.

"Dr. Marc White and I nominated Dr. Bennett because he is very informative and very into progressive medicine. He is a guru in nutrition," said Dr. Amy Ballard, president of the NETVMA.

Bennett, who didn't know he was nominated until the award paperwork arrived, believes in working "outside the box" when it comes to veterinary medicine.

"I work a lot with nutrition. When an animal gets sick, you can treat the sickness but you also need to figure out why it got sick. Many times it will be because of its diet," Bennett explained.

Bennett said making sure your animal has a good nutritional diet helps them from becoming sick.

"I think the nurtition aspect really helped (with the nomination)," Bennett said.

As far as progressive medicine, Bennett is not against bringing in a chiropractor for some of his patients.

One of his patients in the clinic the day of the interview was a dachshund.

"Wenie dogs are susceptible to back problems due to their backs being so long. This dog needs an adjustment. See how he walks?" Bennett asked as the dog waddled across the floor dragging his right back leg.

Bennett called Dr. Wisdom, the local chiropractor for humans, to the clinic.

When Wisdom arrived, they discussed the animal's predicament. After the dog was adjusted, the vet said, "That's what he needed. He isn't in the pain that he was before."

After administering some anti-inflammatory drugs, the little dog went home.

Bennett, who only been in Quitman for a short time, but has gained the trust of his employees and the people around the small town.

"I moved here in 1996 to do relief work for Dr. (Joe) Dawson. He told me one day that I should work with him; not for him. So, we became partners. When Dr. Dawson passed away, I bought his portion from his wife," Bennett explained. "We still have the same employees now as we did then, plus added a few. In October, we had an open house for the new clinic (which is down the road from the old clinic on Highway 154) and 600 people came. That's saying a lot."

One local cattleman said, "Dr. Bennett has been out here (on his farm) no matter what the weather; rain, sleet, sun or snow. We can depend on him."

That dependability, plus "progressive medicine," is what make Dr. Randal Bennett this year's TVMA Food Practitioner of the Year.