Virginia women in rural medicine heal humans and animals

Augusta County clinical psychologist Dr. Caitlyn Owens is inspiring a critical movement in agriculture through a passion for listening to, walking alongside, and empowering communities.

When Owens’ husband worked as an agriculture loan officer, a single question sparked an unexpected calling: what do you do when someone talks about taking their own life? That question prompted Owens to examine high suicide rates among farmers, leading to disappointment that psychologists were not discussing the issue more frequently. To build a centralized resource for farmers and their loved ones, she partnered with James Madison University and Staunton’s ARROW Project, a community-focused health and wellness nonprofit, to launch an agricultural wellness program in Augusta County.

Guided by clinicians, young farmers, and local advocates, the AgriTHRIVE team delivers workshops and free therapeutic services for farmers alongside farm tours for clinicians. In addition to leading workshops, Owens trains future clinicians as a JMU associate professor of graduate psychology, using her background to address persistent rural healthcare needs.

Expanding Equine and Livestock Care Across Virginia

Healthcare needs for horses prompted veterinarian Dr. Sherri Guard to establish Guardian Equine Veterinary Services in Suffolk in 2023. Her mobile equine business currently serves roughly 250 clients ranging from Hampton Roads to northeastern North Carolina, reflecting both strong regional demand for equine care and the trust Gard has built with local horse owners.

Gard has earned a reputation for accessibility and deep investment in patient well-being, crediting advances in veterinary medicine and better owner education for helping horses live longer and healthier lives than in past decades.

“We know better, we do better,” Gard said. “They’re not dying of dental disease. They’re not dying of parasites. We have a lot better nutrition now.”

Running a veterinary practice involves long hours and constant responsibility, but for Gard, veterinary medicine represents a fundamental commitment to helping horses thrive alongside the people who depend on them.

For large animal veterinarian Dr. Bom Harris of Hanover County, daily operations span routine pregnancy checks, herd health inspections, emergency treatments for injured livestock, and assistance with difficult calvings. Harris operates Old Dominion Veterinary Services, a mobile veterinary clinic covering 26 counties across central and eastern Virginia, often driving up to five hours daily to treat cattle at cow-calf operations and dairies, pigs, llamas, and small ruminants.

“It’s not a hardship to go out for a middle-of-the-night emergency for someone who’s become like family to you,” Harris said. “That’s the amazing thing about this job. Even on the long, hard days, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.”

Beyond her mobile practice, Harris serves as attending veterinarian at Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm, sits on VSU’s Animal Care and Use Committee, lectures in veterinary courses, speaks at farmer roundtables, and mentors aspiring veterinarians. She also serves on agricultural boards and educates 4-H and FFA students.

“As veterinarians, we can offer unique perspectives,” Harris said. “And helping kids understand where their food comes from—that it isn’t from the grocery store—is worth every minute I put into it.”