Letters: Dr. James L. Voss: An inspiration in my life
In response to your inquiry on who inspired us ("Letters," July 2005), I could not pass up the opportunity to express my sincere feelings toward the one man who has inspired me the most in my veterinary career.
In response to your inquiry on who inspired us ("Letters," July 2005), I could not pass up the opportunity to express my sincere feelings toward the one man who has inspired me the most in my veterinary career. I take great pleasure in having been a veterinary student of Dr. James L. Voss at Colorado State University back in 1969 and 1970. During the summer months of 1969, I traveled with him in the mobile veterinary vehicle as we performed veterinary services on quarter horses in the surrounding area of Fort Collins, Colo. I remember how gentle he was around a mare in foal and how he allowed me to perform my first castration on a stud colt.
One of the things he taught me was that you are never going to be perfect. You will make mistakes once in a while, and not every client will accept your recommendations. As a Colorado State alumnus, I have followed Dr. Voss's career as he became dean of the veterinary college and as he went before the Colorado Legislature to raise money for what is now the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
I salute you, Dr. Voss. You have been my hero, my mentor, my inspiration during the past 35 glorious years that I have been a veterinarian. I have enjoyed this career and plan to continue it as long as possible.
John D. Sheppard, DVM
8342 Snowbird Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
