Dr. Michael Opsomer decided in the sixth grade that he wanted to be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He spent his high school and college years obtaining as much experience as possible in order to achieve entrance into a College of Veterinary Medicine. He first started working in a local animal clinic, where he first met Dr. Greg Popp. From there, he would learn from and work aside 12 DVMs before being accepted into veterinary school. He felt well prepared for the profession and felt it was a calling he has had his whole life. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois, then worked on a Master’s degree in dairy Reproductive Endocrinology and Physiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and culminating in a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His first five years of practice were spent in mixed animal medicine with an emphasis on dairy. After that, he has spent the last 23 years in strictly small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Opsomer currently practices at Branson Veterinary Hospital in Branson, MO. He helped find the regional Emergency Clinic in his area, which received a state-wide award as most entrepreneurial business in 1998. Dr. Opsomer was nominated and presented by Dr. Greg Popp at the veterinary honor roll induction.