Dr. Richard (Dick) Taylor was born 5-5-36 in Shelbina, MO, and grew up on a farm.  Because he was always interested in animals and did not have the financial resources to farm, he decided he would pursue becoming a veterinarian.  He married Joyce and they had three children, Leigh Anne, Rick and Lisa.

Dr. Taylor graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in June of 1962 and immediately established his practice in Fayette, MO.  He is now in his third facility, Howard County Veterinary Service, P.C. 

Dr. Taylor believes the development of improved medications and restraint drugs and methods are among the more important advancements in veterinary medicine in his career along with the development of new testing procedures and techniques.  When asked how he thinks veterinary medicine will change in the next ten years, Dr. Taylor responds that he believes veterinary medicine will continue to progress in testing, treatment and social capacities.  “To say how this progress will come about would take more divine insight than I possess.”

Major Presentations:

American Association of Swine Practitioners

            Field Trials with Pork Producers 1972

            Assisting Pork Producers with Records 1982

            More Money for You and Your Client 1988

American Veterinary Medical Association

            Field Trials 1978

            Potentiation of Swine Producer Profits 1982

Minnesota Swine Conference

            A Simple Swine Record System 1979

Intermountain Veterinary Medical Association

            Practice Tips 1979

Kansas Veterinary Medical Association

            Herd Health Seminar 1981

Missouri Veterinary Medical Association

            Coccidiosis in Swine 1982

National Yorkshire Breeders Association

            Herd Health and Coccidiosis 1982

Swine Health Day UMC

            Use of the Computer in Swine Disease Control and Swine Disease Problems in Missouri 1982

Eastern Iowa Veterinary Medical Association

            Pelvic Measurement of Heifers 1983

Saline County Veterinarian’s Producer Meeting

            Economics of Spring Work Done on Cattle 1984

UMC AABP Student Chapter

            Practice Management 1984

West Central Missouri Veterinary Medication Association Field Day

            Economics of Pelvic Measuring Cattle 1990

Northeast Missouri Veterinary Field Day

            Veterinary Business Computer Systems 1985

            What’s Your Diagnosis 1987

            Pelvic Measuring Heifers 1988

Northeast Missouri Veterinary Medical Association

            Swine Medicine 1990

            Proper Drug Management and Compounding 1991

MVMA Student Chapter

            Practice Promotion 1988

UMC College of Veterinary Medicine

            Guest Lecturer on Veterinary Practice Management 1989-90

UMC College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Conference

            Drug Compounding and Related Matters 1991

Pike County Cattlemen’s Association

            Beef Management Practices That Pay 1992

Arizona, California, Nevada VMA Meeting

            Pharmacy Issues and the Veterinary Practitioner 1995

Major Publications:

Norden News

            Swine Herd Health Programming 1980

National Hog Farmer

            Records Give Clues to Health Status and Help Identify Problems 1981

Modern Veterinary Practice

            Assisting Pork Producers with Records 1983

Missouri Ruralist

            Personal Diary Record of Practice 1989

Awards, Honors and/or Recognition:

American Association of Swine Practitioners

            Veterinarian of the Year 1987

UMC College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association

            Phi Zeta 1977

            Alumnus of the Year 1990

Missouri Veterinary Medication Association

            Veterinarian of the Year 1990

Offices Held – Professional Organizations:

American Veterinary Medical Association

            House of Delegates – Alternate Delegate 1976-81; Delegate 1982-88

            Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA) 1989-95

                        Vice Chairman 1993-95

            Drug Compounding Task Force 1990-91

            Council on Public Relations  2000-2006

Missouri Veterinary Medical Association

            Executive Board Alternate 1963-67; Executive Board member 1968-70; Vice-President 1972; President- Elect 1973; President 1974; Immediate Past President 1975

West Central Veterinary Medical Association

            Vice-President 1966; President 1967

American Association of Swine Practitioners

            Charter Member 1962 (on Organization Board); Executive Board Member 1977-86

Missouri Veterinary Medical Academy

            Charter Member 1972; Vice-President 1997; President-Elect 1998; President 1999

University of Missouri Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association

            Life Member since 1962; President 1968-69; Chairman of first Development Fund Committee 1975-77

Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Board

            Member 1975-77 (Organizing Board); Antiques Chairman 1975-77

Missouri Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

            Member 1983-87; Chairman 1985-87

Professional Veterinary Products, Ltd. (Veterinary Purchasing Group)

            Incorporation Agent and Charter Member 1982

            Board of Directors 1995-99

Memberships – Other Professional Organizations:

Society for Theriogenology since 1962

Missouri Society for Theriogenology 1962-1976

American Association of Bovine Practitioners 1968-Present