Dr. James Cook, DVM, owner of a mixed animal practice in his hometown of Lebanon, Ky. since 1977 (American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) certified from 1978-2008), has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine on state and national levels.

Dr. Cook served as chair of the Kentucky Practice Act Revision Committee. This committee was instrumental in changing state laws that govern veterinary medicine. He represented Kentucky in the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) House of Delegates from 1996 until 2001, when he was elected to represent District V, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, on the AVMA Executive Board. Dr. Cook served as Executive Board Vice-Chair from July 2005 to July 2006 at which time he was elected AVMA Executive Board Chair. In 2007, at the annual AVMA convention in Washington, DC, Dr. Cook was unanimously elected as President-Elect of the AVMA.

Dr. Cook received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Kentucky before entering veterinary college. Prior to earning his DVM degree from Auburn University in 1976, Dr. Cook taught science and biology in the Jessamine and Marion county school systems. Since his graduation from Auburn, Dr. Cook has maintained his membership in the AVMA, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), and AAHA.

During Dr. Cook's tenure on the AVMA Executive Board, he served in many capacities and accomplished many important goals. He chaired task forces on the Legal Status of Animals and Legal Remedies. He also served as a Steering Committee member representing the AVMA to the National Unwanted Horse Summit. During his term as Chairman, Dr. Cook had the proud task of launching the One Health Initiative Task Force by appointing talented and outstanding visionary individuals representing the health science professions, academia, government and industry from both human and animal medicine to this task force. Furthermore, Dr. Cook successfully negotiated the hiring of the new Executive Vice President of the AVMA.

A past president of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Cook received their Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and was named Kentucky Veterinarian of the Year in 1988.

Dr. Cook is an active member of his community, serving as a member of the Marion County Board of Health since 1983 and as their chair from 1997 until 2002. He is also a past member of the Marion County Shelter Board and the Ag Advisory Committee of Marion County High School. Dr. Cook served on the Lincoln Trail Regional Health Board from 1994 until 2002. He is a long-standing member of the United Presbyterian Church in Lebanon and has served several terms as an Elder of that church. He is a member of the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine Centennial Club, a University of Kentucky Fellow, and a Life Member of the University of Kentucky Agriculture Alumni.

Dr. Cook has been married to Marian Spragens since 1968. They have two children, James O. Cook Jr. and Amanda Cook Reed. Jim is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College Of Agriculture and a Sales Professional with Cintas Corporation. Amanda is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, College of Business and is enrolled in the University of Kentucky, College of Law. Amanda is married to Kaelin G. Reed, a graduate of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky, College of Law. Kaelin is now an associate at Golden & Walters, PLLC, in Lexington, Kentucky.