I want to thank the Doberman Pinscher Club of America for the experience I have had as a result of the crop and dock grant program and the veterinarians who have volunteered to participate in the program. I am grateful that my background and current involvement have led me to this opportunity.

I grew up in southwest Oklahoma in a family rooted in agriculture and the son of a veterinarian. At an early age, I became involved in 4-H and then FFA, exhibiting livestock and competing in livestock judging. I started my own herd of cattle and continue to produce show and seedstock Limousin cattle today. I continued judging in college and was on the Oklahoma State University Livestock Judging team while completing my undergraduate degree.

After completing my Doctorate of Veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University, I joined my father?s mixed animal practice in Newcastle, Oklahoma. I was the primary surgeon at the practice and performed a variety of specialty surgeries including cosmetic dehorns and reconstructive hernia repairs on show livestock. I mentored a number of veterinary student preceptors and students of the local 4-H and FFA chapters. I have recently established my own practice in Oklahoma City, Barker Veterinary Surgery LLC, where I offer a select set of elective surgeries. Through the DPCA program I was able to mentor with well-respected veterinary ear croppers and now offer ear cropping at my practice.

My wife, Sondra, and I have always had purebred dogs and became involved in conformation shows after getting our first Irish Water Spaniel, Bayes, in 2013. Bayes was groomed, conditioned, and handled by us throughout his career and is a multi Best in Show winner. We are now enjoying presenting Bayes? offspring to the fancy. From the first two litters he has sired, we have piloted one pup to his championship and multiple group placements and another to her grand championship and multiple Best in Shows. Another pup that we co-own from the first litter is now the youngest Irish Water Spaniel to achieve her senior hunt title. We are members of the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America and I serve on the Health and Genetics and Cardiac committees. We chaired the 2021 IWSCA National Specialty in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Thank you again to the DPCA and a special thank you to Dr. Kay Backues and Dr. Anne Midgarden for your mentorship and your continued support! I look forward to being a part of this educational process in the future!