Dr. Chris Connelly is a dairy veterinarian from Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania. He obtained an undergraduate degree in animal sciences from Penn State in 1999 and finished his doctorate at Virginia Tech in 2003. Connelly currently works for Centre Herd Health Services, based in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, and serving mostly dairy clients in central Pennsylvania. He explains the five things he can't do without for his career.
1. Ford F250 with four-wheel drive
Connelly says the most important tool for his business is his truck, an F250 with four-wheel drive.
Since he’s in the truck an average of three to four hours a day, a reliable truck is undoubtedly needed. Connelly tracks approximately 40,000 miles on his truck every year.
“I have to be mobile and get to my clients,” Connelly says.
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2. Motorola Droid phone
“It’s the lifeline between the clients, the office and the vet,” Connelly says. He stops into his office about three times per week, so the Droid keeps him in constant communication with the rest of the practice.
Not only that, but the Droid will also take pictures and videos, document ideas and farm visit information and download lab results straight to his phone.
“When you see an issue on a farm,” Connelly says, “pictures are more visual for the farmer.” In the future, Connelly is hoping to be able to do all his billing on the Droid as well.
3. Record systems, including DairyOne, PCDart and Dairy Comp
As a veterinarian, Connelly relies on concrete record systems to help his clients. DairyOne, PCDart and Dairy Comp are the most common systems he uses.
“Without hard records, I’m greatly diminished in my ability to help a farm,” Connelly says.
Combining record systems and his Droid could be the next step in technology for Connelly.
4. Hunting tree stand
While it may not be directly related to his veterinary business, Connelly says he can’t go without his tree stand for hunting season. It straps right to his back whenever he can get away from the office for the day.
“Hunting season is the time of year I can recharge my battery,” Connelly said. “It’s my getaway from all the vet stuff.”
5. The dairy industry
From the cow, to his clients, to his colleagues and other industry personnel, Connelly could not imagine a life without working in the dairy industry.
After growing up on a 120-cow dairy farm, Connelly went to vet school knowing he wanted to become a dairy vet. He enjoys helping producers through the issues they face on their farms.
“We’re all part of the cycle,” says Connelly. “Each part is dependent on each other.” PD
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| Sarah Caldwell is a senior in agribusiness management and agricultural communications at Penn State University. |
