#007 Dr. Marshall Bennett

Dr. Marshall Bennett has been a practicing Veterinarian for over 25 years in the small town of Adel, Georgia. In addition to being my dad, Dr. Bennett has been living in Adel for his entire life, apart from his education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia. He grew his small practice through tough times in rural america, and supplied the best veterinary care possible all while being the second generation to work on Bennett Family Farms.

I learned a lot of history in the episode that I'd never heard. There have only been three veterinarians in the history of Cook County Georgia. Dr. Bennett purchased the practice and property from Dr. Boseman immediately after his graduation from vet school. Today, his practice has changed tremendously as the demographic of his small community shifted over time. Dr. Bennett credits new technology, better medicine and customer service as the biggest improvements he was able in his 25 years. He uses remote monitoring systems to provide 24/7 monitoring of animals in his hospital. Digital Cameras allow him to create personalized reports for each animal, complete with pictures and explanations of the follow-up procedures to help him treat each animal like his own. He attends regular continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on the best medicines and new practices. He has even taught courses for other veterinarians.

On this episode, We talk about his beginnings in the business, the challenges he faced, the hard decisions he has made and hear his advice to new veterinarians. An avid reader, and lifelong learner, Dr. Bennett scatters little bits of wisdom throughout the episode. We discuss how to run a business that will remain strong through tough economic times, and the steep learning curve that a new business owner faces. His stories of his time in the FFA provide insight on the process of getting accepted into vet school, and how he was able to navigate higher education. We also talk about his farming background. A lifetime of raising purebred Charolais cattle has helped him improve his decision making, and inspired his decision to become a Veterinarian. Please Enjoy.