David E. Freeman, MVB, PhD, DACVS:

Welcome to the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Over the years, the Department has seen the growth of a very strong clinical component, with superb faculty that has established national and international reputations in large animal medicine, surgery, reproduction, anesthesiology and pain management, acupuncture, food animal reproduction and medicine,

Dr. Husted graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 2004. After graduation she worked for one year in an ambulatory mixed practice in Denmark, after which she completed a PhD in Equine gastric ulceration at the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the University of Florida. She finished an internal medicine fellowship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky in 2010. Her clinical interests include gastroenterology, neonatology and critical care of the large animal species.

Dr. Andrew Smith
1st-Year Resident 

Dr. Smith was raised in Virginia, riding and training cutting horses.  He received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech University in 2005 and his veterinary degree in 2009 from North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where he also completed an internship in large animal surgery.  Before joining the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Smith completed an internship with New England Equine Practice, in Patterson, NY for large animal surgery.  Dr. Smith has joined UF for a 3-year, large animal surgery residency.  Outside of UF, Dr. Smith enjoys mountain biking, fishing and spending time with loved ones including his German Shorthaired pointer, Fancy.

Dr. Laura Axiak
Intern

Dr. Axiak grew up in Michigan, just south of Detroit, taking riding lessons at a nearby Arabian Farm.  She received her undergraduate degree from Hillsdale College, and then her veterinary degree from Ross University.  Dr. Axiak joined the UF Large Animal Hospital in July 2011 to complete a 1-year Equine Lameness and Imaging internship.  Her professional interests include lameness, surgery and dentistry.  Next year she plans to pursue a residency in large animal surgery.

The Department shares the responsibility for the UF Veterinary Hospitals with the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. The UF Veterinary Hospitals provide the setting and fundamental resources for both instructional and clinical research in the Department. The Department accomplishes its outreach mission primarily through its veterinary extension program.

Welcome! The primary goal of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences is the provision of quality teaching, research, extension, and service missions of the College in the primary areas of equine health, production animal (food animal) health, aquatic animal health, and companion animal health. These missions are accomplished through the various disciplines in large animal surgery, large animal internal medicine, multi-species comparative reproduction, production animal health, anesthesiology and pain management, and epidemiology.

The Department shares the responsibility for the UF Veterinary Hospitals with the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. The UF Veterinary Hospitals provide the setting and fundamental resources for both instructional and clinical research in the Department. The Department accomplishes its outreach mission primarily through its veterinary extension program.