The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture (SBA) has launched a national search for the position of Kentucky State Veterinarian following the announcement of Dr. Katie Flynn that she will step down at the end of February.
Dr. Flynn joined the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) in 2020 as Deputy State Veterinarian and was promoted later that year to State Veterinarian. Prior to joining KDA, Dr. Flynn worked 18 years as an animal health official, primarily with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She leaves KDA to take a position as a staff veterinarian at the United States Equestrian Federation.
“This is a critical position for the safety of our agriculture herds and flocks,” Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “We spent 2022 discussing potential solutions to the large animal vet shortage in Kentucky and across the nation. We’re hopeful we can find a solution, but a big portion of that is having a state veterinarian who, like Dr. Flynn, can and will advocate for our farming community. Her shoes will be tough to fill. The State Board of Agriculture and the KDA look forward to casting a broad net to fill this animal health position.”
The Office of the State Veterinarian enforces state and federal regulations on livestock movement, administers animal health programs, responds to disease outbreaks, licenses stockyards and livestock dealers, and performs numerous other duties.
Categories: Kentucky, Livestock