I discovered I wanted to become a veterinarian when I was about 7 years old. I fell off my pony and was knocked unconscious. My brothers helped me up when I regained some senses and directed me toward our home and our mother. That was quite a hike but in anticipation of some motherly care and concern, I cried the entire way just so my mother would recognize the severity of my trauma. However, by the time I got home my head had cleared and I felt fine. Mom looked me over and said, "Michael, you are alright…now take care of your pony." At that moment I forgot about my injury and felt an overriding need to care for my pony; sort of an epiphany. My pony was fine other than laughing too hard at me. It took a concussion to realize my ambition but I have never forgotten nor regretted that moment.

I wear many hats. I own a big hospital with a staff of over thirty. I've served on the board of directors of our city's animal shelter, which reveals some interesting challenges. Welfare issues come up there that I hadn't had to address in my private practice, and the lack of public knowledge on how to treat animals and what's appropriate welfare and what isn't are issues they grapple with all the time. I also sit on the AVMA Council on Research and am currently finishing up my term as the president of the Alabama VMA.

I love what we do. The main reason I am a veterinarian is because I love people. I love the idea of being able to help people through their pets. This is a people business. Most people think it's an animal business, but we're here for people and I love the thought of helping people by helping their pets.

We had an issue come up involving compounding offered by Internet pharmacies. I was unsure what of the legal and ethical requirements were, and the responsibilities of the veterinarian prescribing that drug. So I used the AVMA's compounding brochure to find out more and, while doing that, I discovered the other scientific brochures offered by the AVMA. I knew they existed, but I hadn't really read them. They are a wonderful resource and many of them are now required reading for doctors at my hospital. The Judicious Therapeutic Use of Antimicrobials -- I encourage them to read it if not make them read it. If I see that there is any instance in which a doctor is misusing antimicrobials, I make them go back and review the brochure because it's a useful resource.

The AVMA scientific reference materials are essential at my hospital if we're going to be leaders in human and animal health in our community.

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCE MATERIALS
The AVMA provides free scientific reference materials online to help veterinarians clarify issues and understand the choices available to them. For Dr. Newman, these materials are required reading at his hospital.