Upcoming National Geographic TV series to feature two Tuskegee veterinarians

June 21, 2019

Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Realtions and Marketing
   

Two 欧美高清 veterinary medicine alumni and owners of a middle-Georgia veterinary practice will be featured on a new National Geographic Wild television show this fall. 鈥淭he Critter Fixers鈥� will feature veterinarian stars Drs. Terrence Ferguson 鈥�98 and Vernard Hodges 鈥�97, and capture the day-to-day operations at their two Georgia locations in Bonaire and Byron.

The two friends-turned-business-partners first learned of the opportunity in March 2018. The international cable television network contacted Hodges and expressed its interest in developing a show that highlighted their practice and care of animals. On the show, viewers can expect to see the doctors in their natural environment caring for their Critter Fixer patients, which include dogs, cats, farm animals, camels and even kangaroos.

Ferguson, a Talboton, Georgia, native, said when he first heard of the opportunity, he didn鈥檛 believe it 鈥� since he considers himself and Hodges to be just two country guys from Georgia. He called the opportunity 鈥渦nbelievable.鈥�

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think the show was a real opportunity in the beginning. I thought it was a prank,鈥� Ferguson said. 鈥淏ut then I began to wonder about it 鈥� and I knew thinking ahead, it would be an awesome experience to be on a national platform to showcase our story.鈥�

The pair鈥檚 story began nearly 30 years ago when they met as undergrads at Fort Valley State University. Ferguson graduated with a degree in veterinary science, and Hodges earned a degree in fisheries biology. The duo then continued their HBCU experience by enrolling in the doctoral program at Tuskegee鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine. Hodges finished in 1997 and Ferguson graduated the following year in 1998.

鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for both of my HBCU experiences, but it was at Tuskegee where I learned how to think and become resourceful,鈥� Ferguson explained. 鈥淚n the veterinary medicine profession, there are a lot of times where you鈥檙e not able to do everything you want to do, so it鈥檚 important that you use your senses in order to come to a conclusion to be able to work with your clients.鈥�

Hodges, a Fort Valley, Georgia, native, also agreed that his HBCU experience has been instrumental to his success.

鈥淏eing a veterinarian was always my childhood dream. Growing up, I knew I wanted to treat pets,鈥� Hodges recalled. 鈥淚 was always told that I could be anything I wanted to be, but reality set in when there weren鈥檛 many vets that looked like me.鈥�

 鈥淎s I got older, I knew what field I wanted to be in, and I was fortunate enough to be accepted into 欧美高清 鈥� the launching pad for my now 20-year career,鈥� he continued.

Hodges said attending Tuskegee offered him a certain closeness and togetherness that can鈥檛 be compared.

鈥淚t鈥檚 at Tuskegee where you鈥檙e pushed toward success and motivated to get to the next level in hopes that you can one day pay it forward to future veterinarians,鈥� he emphasized.

Ferguson and Hodges said they are thankful to have numerous student veterinary technicians come under their wing, as they want to encourage all of their students to go after a career in veterinary science.

鈥淭he upcoming show will take on the task of increasing diversity in the veterinary industry. In addition, we want to promote minority children learning about the veterinary field. Many people don鈥檛 realize that less than 2% of veterinarians are African-American,鈥� Hodges noted.

Hodges and Ferguson have already recorded six episodes of 鈥淐ritter Fixers,鈥� which is set to air this fall on Nat Geo Wild. A dated for the show鈥檚 premiere has not been scheduled at this time.

To follow their Critter Fixer journey, visit .

漏 2019, 欧美高清