The Business of Practice: Getting Involved in Organized Veterinary Medicine

In this episode of The Business of Practice podcast, we talked with Katie Larson, DVM, and Sherri Gard, DVM, about how they became involved in organized veterinary medicine.

Veterinarians often become involved in veterinary organizations when asked to fill a needed role. “There’s never a perfect time to get involved,” said Gard, but she encouraged others to volunteer for the good of the veterinary industry whenever opportunities arise. “Be the change you want to see,” she advised, sharing that whenever she was asked to step up, she answered, “I can do that!”

“Participating in organized veterinary medicine means my voice is going to be heard, and that’s important to me,” said Gard. “I’ve made it a priority to stand up for the equine veterinary community.”

Through her experiences at the Virginia VMA, Gard has learned more about how legislation works, its financial impacts, and how she can enact change at the state level.

Larson became involved with the American Association of Equine Practitioners as a student and early-career practitioner, when she participated in three Equitarian projects and formed a connection with the lead veterinarian on one of the trips. When the leader asked her if she would be interested in serving on a Horses at Risk working group for The Foundation for the Horse, she didn’t hesitate to say yes. Connections she formed through her passion for working equids resulted in her introduction to organized veterinary medicine, and she continues to connect wherever she is involved.

Several years ago, after seeing an email about an available Emerging Leader position on the New Hampshire VMA board, Larson applied and was selected for the role. The Emerging Leader position allowed her to network with many inspiring veterinarians in other fields while attending the NHVMA and AVMA Leadership meetings. She later agreed to run for vice president of the NHVMA and followed her vice presidency with a two-year term as president.

Both veterinarians explained that even early-career veterinarians can make a difference, and they encouraged all practitioners to help improve the industry by volunteering in organized veterinary medicine.

About Dr. Katie Larson

Katie Larson, DVM, earned her bachelor’s in biology at the College of the Holy Cross in 2011 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. She completed a rotating internship in equine medicine and surgery at Littleton Equine Medical Center in Colorado, where she practiced before returning home to New England in 2021. She worked at an ambulatory practice on the seacoast for three years. In August 2024, Larson established Saltwater Equine Emergency Services based in West Newbury, Massachusetts, where she supports her fellow veterinarians by providing contracted emergency service coverage for practices.

She served as the president of the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association from 2024-2026 and was on the planning committee for the New England Veterinary Medical Association. Larson is an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, contributing to groups that emphasize practice culture, business strategies, and the welfare of working equids. She is a member of the Scientific Review & Editorial Committee (SREC) Business Review committee and the Healthy Practice Committee, and she previously served on the Horses at Risk working group. She is a past participant of the Decade One program.

About Dr. Sherri Gard

Sherri Gard, DVM, is originally from the Midwest. She is a 2012 graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University with a degree in microbiology and a 2016 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She has also attended Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic and the Chi Institute for Acupuncture. She practiced in the Hampton Roads area as an associate for eight years after graduation and in 2024 launched her own practice, Guardian Equine Veterinary Services, serving the horse communities of Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina. She is a past participant of the Power of 10 leadership program and Decade One and is the 2026 president of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, where she has been a board member for four years. She has been a speaker for the AAEP Student program at the annual convention, serves on the AAEP Membership Engagement Committee, and was an AAEP LEAD attendee in 2025. Gard frequently mentors veterinary students at her practice, which she enjoys tremendously.

In her spare time, she can be found with a good book and a cold beer at the beach.

Related Reading

• The Business of Practice: Current State of the Equine Veterinary Industry
• The Business of Practice: How Equine Veterinarians Can Build Confidence
• Strengthening Social License to Practice Equine Medicine

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