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Reynolds, Ohio — Dorothy Pelanda, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, announced on December 7 that Dr. Dennis Summers will serve as the Director of the Animal Health Division, which is responsible for conservation and Promote the health of Ohio's livestock and poultry industry. Serves as the state veterinarian in Ohio and oversees all operations of the department.

Summers first joined the department in 2014 as an on-site veterinarian in the meat inspection department, and then transferred to the animal health department in 2015 with the same identity. He was appointed as an assistant state veterinarian in 2018, and then a provisional state veterinarian to become a veterinarian in 2021.

Before serving in the Department of Agriculture, Summers was a private practitioner in Vermont, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. His practice areas are concentrated in large animal medicine and surgery, mainly dairy products, horses and beef, but there are also some small ruminants and exotic animals.

Summers was born and raised in Muskingen County. He studied undergraduate studies at Ohio State University, majoring in animal science, and received a bachelor's degree in agricultural science in 2001. He completed research in veterinary medicine at Ohio State University and obtained a DVM degree in 2006.

In 2019, Summers successfully passed the certification exam of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. This earned him the diplomat status of the college, which is a major in veterinary preventive medicine. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and as an Army Medical Officer. Summers and his wife Angela have three children.

Dr. Kristy Shaw will serve as the assistant state veterinarian. Shaw will support all functions of the Ohio veterinarian and will continue to serve as the emergency preparedness and disease program coordinator to ensure the health and safety of Ohio's livestock interests.

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