A Western Illinois University graduate has returned to where it all started.
Dr. Taylor Carey Boyer, a 2020 WIU pre-veterinary graduate and a 2024 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, recently joined Animal Medical Center in Macomb as a full-time associate veterinarian, following the passing of longtime veterinarian Dr. Chuck Lotz, who died in October last year. She joins the practice's other longtime partner, Dr. Larry Loop, who has returned to part-time status. Animal Medical is owned by the Lotz family. The Mercer County native, and her husband, who hails from Blandinsville, wished to return to the area to join his family's farm, so when the stars aligned, they decided to return to the region, she said.
'I'm so glad to be here. Animals have always been a part of my life, and I have always had a deep love and passion for animals and I would find myself searching for the why of things,' Boyer explained how and why she got into veterinary medicine. 'When my animals were sick or injured, I couldn't sit by knowing they were being treated. I needed to know why it was happening and see if I could be doing anything more to help them. There has always been an underlying drive for their best care.'
And being back on a farm, Boyer can lend a hand, if necessary, taking a play from her academic playbook.
'I once performed an emergency c-section on a heifer in the middle of nowhere Nebraska at 2 a.m., along with my friend, while on an externship during our clinical year of vet school,' she pointed out. 'It was extremely challenging, but an awesome experience.'
According to Boyer, her philosophy as a vet is simple: give each and every animal the very best possible care and treat them like they are her own.
'I get to know my patients and clients, personally, as well as try to bring my own practicing style with new protocols and diagnostic tools,' she explained. 'The best thing about this job is seeing a tough case through and seeing a patient improve. The most challenging part of this job is emotional load. I can never fully leave work at work as I'm always thinking about my patients.'
While Boyer does not have a specific focus within her practice, she said she has a special interest in cases involving surgeries. She regularly participates in continuing education lectures, conferences and labs to increase her skill set and to learn even more about veterinary medicine.
When she's not at work, or learning more about her trade, you can find Boyer reading, or taking part in outdoor activities with her husband, such as kayaking and hiking. Of course, the vet also has her very own animal menagerie to keep her company.
'I have a bully mix named Kobe, who was a shelter pet presented for our Junior Surgery course for neutering during my third year of vet school and my husband and I were able to adopt him. Our tuxedo cat Tuck was rescued from a barn as a small kitten, and Harvey is our most recent cat. He just showed up at our house looking a tad worse for wear but has thrived after proper treatment and a quick lip avulsion correction surgery,' she shared.
'When I think of our animals and what it means to be a vet, I think our Veterinarian's Oath says it best,' Boyer stated. ''I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.''
