02/19/2023
We are fortunate to have so many great Equine Veterinarians in Our area!!
Dr. Lynn Criner’s devotion to the horse has taken many forms during her years in the equine industry, including horse doctor, competitive jumper and public servant as vice president of the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Dr. Criner owns Texas Equine and Pet, an ambulatory practice in Needville, Texas, southwest of Houston.
While not part of a horse family, Dr. Criner can’t remember a time when she wasn’t enthralled with horses. Her path to veterinary school was supported by her parents, Sandra Criner and Oscar H. Criner III, PhD. “When I said I was going to go to veterinary school, they just expected that I would do it,” remembered Dr. Criner. “My dad discovered that getting into veterinary school was a big deal when people he was working with while on sabbatical In Illinois wanted to know ‘how did she do that’!?”
The 1995 graduate of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine entered veterinary school at a time when women only made up 30 percent of the class. She also was the only African American student in her class.
“I’ve already seen changes in recent years in the attitudes within the equine veterinary industry about non-traditional equine veterinarians. Many have discovered that reaching out to those who are non-traditional practitioners brings a broader perspective into the world of horse medicine.”
Dr. Criner’s advice for her colleagues? “The way forward to increasing the participation of people of color in our profession is for the veterinary community to introduce children of color from elementary age up to horses and the work of equine veterinarians. That is when dreams are formed.”
The AAEP honors Dr. Criner and her dedication to horse health!