Dr. Brad Cumper earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Michigan State University.  His specific areas of interest include sports medicine and embryo transfer. He and his wife, Cami, have two daughters, Isabel and Peyton.

What do you do at SVEC?

I am one of the veterinarians, and I breed mares, collect and ship stallions, perform elective surgeries, and I look at quite a few lame horses. (Long pause ... ) Lately, I try to stay out of everyone's way. Luckily, I am surrounded by a team of truly amazing people.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Watching Dr. Davis check mares (rectal palpation). He really can't stand it, but he is such a good sport about it.

What has been your favorite patient "case" at SVEC?

There has been so many grateful horse owners and friends who have used our clinic. Don't get me wrong: I love the horses, but I do this to see people smile and achieve their goals. I can't pick just one.

What has been your most difficult "case" at SVEC?

No doubt, it was a horse named Jack. I choke up just thinking about him. He was the most beautiful bay Warmblood you have ever seen. He was big boned and strong, but athletic and nimble. He had this soft look in his eye that spoke to you. His owner had several horses, but he was the golden child — he was special to her. He was well on his way to a career in dressage when a foot absess soon turned into a coffin bone infection. He spent weeks in our clinic suffering from his ailment. He was so big and kind and gentle. I ended up euthanizing Jack at his farm, after countless treatments, laminitis and a colic surgery. Jack was gone, and what I had left was a memory of crying like a baby with his owner and a bit of his tail. What made Jack the most difficult case was the unwavering trust and faith his owner had in me as I cared for Jack. To this day, I think about that big bay gelding and his owner.

What are your greatest skills?

Cheryl says I teach well. Dr. Davis says I relate well to horse owners.  I can check a mare's reproductive tract with the best of 'em.

How do those skills benefit horses and their owners?

I think it's important to look at the world from the perspective of whom you're serving. Relating to the horse and its owner helps us get together an action plan to help them accomplish their goals.