Through many years of steadfast service and leadership, Dr. Mitchell has provided the AAEP with valuable insight into racehorse welfare, veterinary ethics and practice management. Since 1975, Dr. Mitchell has worked as a racetrack and pleasure horse practitioner in Boca Raton, Fla. His focus has been the care of Standardbred racehorses at Pompano Park Racetrack.

Born in the small farming town of Cadiz, Ohio, Dr. Mitchell grew up two doors down from veterinarian Dr. F.L. Rogers. Dr. Rogers introduced Dr. Mitchell to the life of a veterinarian, taking him along on farm calls and mentoring through his adolescent years. Dr. Mitchell attended The Ohio State University where he received his veterinary degree in 1972. He completed an equine internship at Auburn University in Alabama in 1973. 

In 1975, Dr. Mitchell established a racetrack and pleasure horse practice, Equine Associates, in Boca Raton, Fla. After 10 years of operating the practice with the help of his wife Lynne and three associates, Dr. Mitchell decided to downsize and concentrate predominantly on Standardbred care at the racetrack. He retired from practice in 1994 to spend time with his wife Lynne, who passed away due to complications with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004. He returned to practice part time at Pompano Park in 2004. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Mitchell has worked with clients to weigh the economic value of veterinary treatment options. He is passionate about personal finance, and has written articles and presented on the topic of financial planning for veterinarians at national meetings. He mentored many young practitioners at the racetrack on the topic of preparing for a secure financial future. 

An active AAEP member since 1972, Dr. Mitchell has served on the Educational Programs, Racing, Practice Management and Foundation Advisory committees. He held the office of AAEP treasurer from 2002-2005, and has been instrumental in the development of programs for the annual AAEP Practice Management Seminar, a meeting he chaired in 2002. 

Dr. Mitchell considers the AAEP his professional family. His AAEP-member colleagues have guided him through ethical decisions and practice scenarios for more than 40 years. During his term as president, Dr. Mitchell hopes to make more members aware of the value their an AAEP membership can add to their professional and personal lives. 

Now retired from veterinary practice, Dr. Mitchell enjoys spending time fishing on his boat. More frequently he is traveling with his wife Melodie, who he wed in 2008. He has two sons, Kyle and Todd, as well as a grandson James.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

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