SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Celebration takes great pride in providing the best care to the stars of our show…the horses!  With that in mind, The Celebration is proud to announce that Dr. Mike Harry will be the official veterinarian of the 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

Harry is highly respected in the equine world and currently serves on the Walking Horse Task Force of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

“To have a veterinarian of Dr. Harry’s reputation and unquestioned integrity oversee our equine health and safety initiatives is a real feather in our cap,” said Celebrtion CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows.
 
Dr. Harry was born and raised in Fayetteville, TN and has been married to his lovely wife Violet for 38 years. The couple has one grown son, Reese. Reese and his wife Brandi have been married for two years. Dr. Harry’s son is also in the process of finishing up his Ph.D. in chemistry at Vanderbilt.

Dr. Harry has made several moves through the years in his steady climb upward in his career. After graduating from Auburn University in 1976 he began practicing veterinary medicine in Georgetown, KY, then relocated to Crossville, TN where he worked with  Dr. Harvey Hall. Bardstown, KY was the next stop before making the move to the home of the Volunteers in Knoxville, TN. While in Knoxville, Dr. Harry also practiced small animal care as well as large animals.

From Knoxville it was then back to home sweet home in Fayetteville for 16 years before becoming the residential vet at the championship stables of Waterfall Farms for William B. and Sandra Johnson in Shelbyville, TN for eight years. "I enjoyed my time at Waterfall…the horses and facilities there are world class."

"I have known Dr. Harry for probably 25 years and he has taught me a lot through the years". He takes his job very seriously and always wants good results", replied Tim Bates. Bates is the breeding manager for Waterfall Farms. "If it wasn’t for Dr. Harry I wouldn’t be here now…he invited me here while he was still on site and I’ve been here ever since", also said Bates.

Another familiar walking horse stable that Dr. Harry worked with was Rising Star Ranch for owners Frank and Debbie Eichler. "Dr. Mike Harry is always happy and fun to be with. He is very thorough and truly cares about the well being of his patients. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him and cherish is friendship", remarked Rising Star breeding manager Mike Hicks.

"I have known Dr. Harry for many years, but never worked with him until last year at Rising Star Ranch. I witnessed first-hand his veterinary expertise and his deep concern for his patients. Not only is he one of the industry's leading vets, but his perpetually happy demeanor and his old-fashioned southern charm makes him irresistible", said Rising Star office manager Tanya Hopper.
Of all the locations that his career has taken him through the years Dr. Harry claims, "Several places have been my favorite, but mostly I enjoyed the people. Growing up around horses…I feel very comfortable around the horse people that make up the industry," remarked Harry.

Dr. Harry will be responsible for overseeing the random drug screening of all the horses, measuring the competitors of the 15.2 and pony classes as well being the "on-site" veterinarian. His credentials definitely speak for themselves and make him more than qualified to perform any service that one may need while visiting The Celebration with their horse.

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration takes place each year during the 11-days and nights prior to Labor Day. It is the premier event for the Tennessee Walking Horse, during which the breed’s World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse and some 33 other World Grand Champions are crowned. It is a festival event, encompassing exciting classes in competition where more than $750,000 in prizes and awards are given.  Other activities include a barn decorating contest, a trade fair and a dog show. The 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is scheduled August 20-August 30. For more information, visit www.twhnc.com.