Meet Our Speakers

Debra Shoulders, DVM is an Associate Clinical Professor of Animal Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in animal science, parasitology, reproductive physiology, pathology, comparative anatomy, and pre-veterinary studies. She is committed to providing students with practical, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for careers in veterinary medicine, animal agriculture, and related fields.

Dr. Shoulders began her academic journey at Western Kentucky University before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. Following veterinary school, she practiced mixed animal medicine in Morgantown, Kentucky, for 13 years before establishing her own mixed animal veterinary practice. Her years in private practice provided extensive experience with both large and small animals and continue to influence her practical, case-based approach to teaching.

At WKU, Dr. Shoulders serves as the university veterinarian and is actively involved in student mentorship, clinical instruction, and experiential learning. She is the faculty advisor for the WKU Pre-Veterinary Club and Ducks Unlimited chapter, helping students develop leadership skills, professional networks, and hands-on experiences in veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation.

Each summer, Dr. Shoulders leads biology and pre-veterinary students to South Africa for a study abroad course in wildlife capture and wildlife management. Students work alongside veterinarians and wildlife professionals, participating in the capture, handling, relocation, and management of African wildlife while gaining firsthand experience in conservation medicine and ecosystem management.

A respected leader within the veterinary profession, Dr. Shoulders serves as Kentucky's delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates and is a member of the AVMA Education and Research Committee. She also serves on the Auburn University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Board, the Breathitt Veterinary Diagnostic Advisory Board, the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Board, and the Western Kentucky University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). She is a past president of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) and previously served on its Executive Board.

In addition to teaching and professional service, Dr. Shoulders mentors undergraduate and graduate research students and remains active in clinical and educational scholarship, particularly in equine dentistry. She emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and experiential learning to prepare the next generation of veterinarians and animal scientists.

Dr. Shoulders is married to Mark and is the proud mother of three children—Ellie Hollis, Carly Baker, and E.J. Shoulders—and grandmother to three grandchildren. Her dedication to education, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and service continues to positively impact her students, colleagues, and the veterinary profession throughout Kentucky and beyond.