My Story - Doug


This is my story of why improving the health and well being of animals is important to me.
As I was growing up on a typical Midwestern farm, I was surrounded by animals. Every day until I left for college, my life was enriched by the affection given freely by the family dogs and cats. As I worked with my family in the barns, I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of well cared for livestock. If the animals were healthy and well cared for, there would be food on the table, and the financial resources to send the kids to college. I realized at an early age that making life better for animals was directly linked to making life better for me and my family.
Now for the story behind the picture: I am a father and a veterinarian. In early 2002, those two roles crossed paths in a way I would never expected. My 5 year old son was deeply attached to Raechel our 14 year old Vizsla. As Raechel grew older, the dementia, hypothyroidism, cataracts, chronic lung disease and cancer were taking their toll. One day, we started talking to the boys about how sick Raechel was, and how they would soon be saying goodbye to her. It was a very difficult thing for a 5 year old to comprehend. He said that if I was a good vet, why couldn’t I fix what was wrong with Raechel. Well, my son and Raechel were about to find out just how lucky they both were. In 1999 I had been fortunate enough to be chosen to work with an incredibly talented group of veterinarians, doctors and scientists, in developing a new and novel therapy. There had been a medical breakthrough called GHRH. The initial studies were promising, but the technology would take years before it would be commercially available. Realizing that the therapy would help, I enrolled Raechel in one of our early clinical trials, and we crossed our fingers. Within days Raechel began to respond. The therapy did wonders for her. I witnessed a dramatic turn around in Raechel’s health, unlike anything I had ever seen in my veterinary career. Raechel spent two more good years with us, and my son treasured every extra minute with his friend To my son the improvement in his friend’s health was a miracle. To me it was a lesson in putting good science to its highest and best use – improving the life and wellbeing of both man and animals. My mission at VGX Animal Health is a small one. To help bring great science from the lab to the real world. As I do so, I hope to improve the health and well being of the world’s companion and food animals, and in turn enrich the lives of the people who care for their animals - wherever they are.
	Doug Kern, D.V.M., M.S. Vice President, Business Development
		dkern@vgxp.com

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