Dr. Joel B Akin is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who has dedicated his life to the care of animals for twenty-nine years. He earned his undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1980. Dr. Akin went on to earn his MBA in Marketing and Management at Texas A&M from the Graduate College of Business. After completing college, he moved to Austin, Texas and began his career in the commercial real estate market. He spent the next 4 years in the real estate industry. When the country went into a recession in 1984-85 the real estate market nose-dived, and he felt the resurgence of his desire to work with animals. He then began to research the requirements to go to Veterinary College at Iowa State University. Both his parents were from Ames, Iowa and had attended Iowa State University.
Acceptance in veterinary school was not made easy for Joel B Akin since there were six years that had passed since he had earned his undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. The College of Veterinary Medicine required him to take 21 hours of the most difficult courses in the pre-veterinary curriculum, as well as having to take the MCAT (Medical College Aptitude Test). He scored very high on the MCAT and made straight A’s for the 21 hours required that he took the fall of the Fall of 1985. He was accepted into veterinary school in March of 1986 and graduated from The College of Veterinary University, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa in May of 1990.
Dr. Joel Akin D.V.M had his own practice for many years in Dallas, Texas. After selling his practice he worked for a number of veterinarians performing relief work until taking a position running the City of Ft. Worth, Texas Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter where he worked tirelessly in the spay and neuter clinic until 2015, regularly spaying 40 dogs and cats daily. Since 2015 Dr. Akin has worked in the relief field, taking care of animals and getting them back to health. Joel B Akin enjoys making pets better and making their owners happy.
Why did you choose to become a doctor?
I was one of the persons with the highest grades from elementary school through high school. Everyone who knew me told me that I was going to be a doctor someday. My Dad and I had hunting dogs when I grew up and enjoyed quail hunting on weekends. We also had a poodle when I was growing up. When the dogs were taken to the vet, I always went along. I loved animals and was intrigued with the work our veterinarian did. I used to hang out on the weekends at his veterinary hospital, holding animals, walking dogs, and cleaning cages. During my junior year in high school, my parents asked me what I wanted to do as a career. My parents suggested going to A&M to become a veterinarian. I agreed and took the S.A.T. and scored very high and was accepted into Texas A&M University for my undergraduate studies. I earned my undergraduate degree in Animal Science, and I earned my MBA in Marketing and Management in the Graduate College of Business. After a career in real estate in Austin, Texas I moved to Ames, Iowa and attended Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and began to practice immediately after I finished training. I gained a wealth of experience before I opened my own practice.
What area do you specialize in?
I specialize in small animals, internal medicine and surgery. During my undergraduate years I spent summers learning how to deliver calves and how to treat cattle while working for Dr. Bryant Beard in Navasota, Texas. Specializing in the care of larger animals was something that I considered as a career while in undergrad but I ultimately decided on becoming a small animal practitioner. Many people see their pets like family. They are just as concerned for their pet’s well-being as they are about any other member of their families. It is such a good feeling when you can heal a beloved pet.
What is your daily routine?
I am a voracious reader. I keep up on medical industry findings. I read about physiology, anatomy, diseases and a variety of medical science studies. I don’t believe that we ever stop learning. The medical industry is an ever-changing world of new innovations and techniques. I like to stay on top of new breakthroughs in veterinary medicine. You must continually educate yourself.
What do you love about your job?
What I love the most about my job is the healing. I love taking care of animals and getting them back to health. I want to make pets better and make their owners happy. The patients that I have treated are beloved family members to the owners. Most pet owners see their veterinarian for their pets the same way that they see their child’s pediatrician. I like the feeling I get when I can see a beloved pet in the arms of a very happy owner.
What would you consider to be the greatest accomplishment in your career?
Becoming an owner of a veterinary practice was a huge accomplishment which I am very proud of.
Tell our readers about some of your volunteer activities.
I do volunteer work at Millwood Recovery Center and other recovery hospitals in the area. The center serves individuals who are hospitalized for alcoholism. They are undergoing long term recovery treatments. They do not have the ability to go out to attend the various A.A. meetings available to them. I volunteer my time, along with many others to take recovery meetings to them. We all meet at whatever hospital we are needed at. It is very important to make everyone know that they are surrounded by people who care about them and can be trusted.
What do you do in order to mentally separate yourself from your job?
I am a perfectionist, so I really had to have a way to decompress. What I find to be the best way to decompress is to watch sports. I love all sports and I watch all sports but the sport that I watch the most is primarily golf.