Dr. Holifield, our Chief of Staff and one of the founders of the Animal ER, graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. His veterinary career has been very eventful. Initially, he was a large animal veterinarian with a special interest in equine reproduction, along with beef cattle production and zoo animals (which he still sees). Eventually, he eased into small animal practice where he eventually saw the light and entered the emergency medicine world (20 years ago). During the large animaI years, he became heavily involved with helping the Manatee and Sarasota County FFA and 4H clubs, which continues to this day. Even though his “real job” is emergency medicine, he still takes care of large zoo animals (elephants, tigers, lions, camels, porcupines, giraffes, bears, kangaroos, and several other species). He is also the staff veterinarian for the Lemur Conservation Foundation that helps endangered lemurs. In his off time, he fishes, a lot. He has been a sponsor (25years) and participant in the world’s oldest Tarpon Tournament… the Sarasota Tarpon Tournament, which traces its roots back to 1930. He also is heavily involved in the Southern Kingfish Association, and the Wild West Kingfish Series fishing tournaments. When not fishing, he also enjoys taking the unbeaten path in his jeep along with his wife of 26 years.