UF veterinarian honored by bovine group, alma mater for contributions to bovine industry

Jan Shearer, D.V.M., a University of Florida professor who developed an innovative, bilingual program to train dairy workers how to better detect and treat hoof problems in cows, has received the American Association of Bovine Practitioners/Alpharma Award of Excellence.

Shearer, who also serves as UF's dairy extension veterinarian, holds appointments in the College of Veterinary Medicine's department of large animal clinical sciences and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' department of dairy science. He also chairs the AABP's committee on animal welfare.

He received the award, consisting of a commemorative ring and a plaque, in September in St. Paul, Minn., during the AAPB's annual meeting. The award is given annually to those whose professional activities have had a consistent influence on the daily actions of veterinarians in bovine practice.

In 1996, Shearer initiated the Master Hoof Care Program, an effort that began at UF's College of Veterinary Medicine and has since expanded to educate hundreds of farm health technicians, private claw trimmers and veterinarians from all over the world. The course is offered several times a year in both English and Spanish.

This summer, Shearer was also recognized by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine when the institution honored him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The award recognizes alumni who have made distinguished contributions to society in the course of their professional careers and who have brought positive recognition to their college.