J. Hunter Reed, MPH, DVM ‘20, entered veterinary school at Cornell University with the goal of becoming a veterinarian for dairy cows. While he focused his clinical training in production animal medicine, his experiences led to a strong interest in population health on a larger scale. “I participated in a dual degree DVM/MPH program between Cornell University and the University of Minnesota,” Dr. Reed explained. “Upon graduation in 2020 (unfortunately, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic), I quickly put this skillset to use working as a veterinary epidemiologist for the Texas Animal Health Commission, investigating an array of issues such as cattle fever ticks, equine piroplasmosis, equine infectious anemia, and, most rigorously, chronic wasting disease (CWD).”

Reed recalled how his willingness to move to a new state to accept a job opened doors for new opportunities in wildlife and population health. “Because of my work on CWD and long-standing interest in the outdoors, I decided to take a position as a wildlife veterinarian with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2021,” he said. “I continued intensively working on CWD along with other wildlife disease issues such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bighorn sheep pneumonia, and rabbit hemorrhagic disease, among others.” His additional training in public health prepared him well for this position, where he applies his epidemiological training to improve understanding of how diseases spread between individuals and across populations.

Working in wildlife health at the state level, Reed’s projects focus on disease surveillance in a variety of different species, and his affinity for the outdoors makes fieldwork an ideal combination of work and a beloved hobby. “This position requires approximately 50-70% travel and has me performing disease sampling on aoudad in the Big Bend region, camping at wildlife management areas in the Panhandle, investigating CWD outbreaks in the Hill Country, and even placing intracoelomic transmitters in waterfowl along the Gulf Coast,” he recounted.

Reed also collaborates with government officials to introduce policies and regulations that advance wildlife health in Texas and across the United States. “Within Texas, I serve as a co-chair for our TPWD CWD Task Force and have active involvement proposing new regulations to mitigate disease threats relevant to TPWD permitted activities. On a national level, I serve on the American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV) Advisory Board, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Fish and Wildlife Health Committee, and as Vice Chair of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) Committee on Wildlife,” Reed said.

Despite his busy schedule and love for his current position, Reed plans to continue his training in the future. He also welcomes students who have an interest in free-ranging wildlife or regulatory medicine to reach out. “It has been a whirlwind since graduating from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, but I am excited for what the coming years will bring. I hope to continue within the field of free-ranging wildlife health as well as pursue board accreditation from the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.”

When asked what advice he would give to current students, Reed emphasized approaching the field with an open mind and remembering that there is no one path to a career in wildlife health. “My one piece of advice for current students interested in pursuing a career in free-ranging wildlife or regulatory medicine is to remain flexible. Wildlife and regulatory positions have sporadic openings, which will likely require new graduates to move in order to be competitive for a position. Furthermore, even if you have an intense interest in a specific field of wildlife medicine (e.g., zoo, rehabilitation, free-ranging wildlife conservation, etc.), try casting a wide net when searching for positions. Even if you are not hired for your ‘dream job,’ a related wildlife position may get your foot in the door, facilitate connections within the field, and open up new opportunities in the future.”

Written by Victoria Priester, DVM ‘26