Dr. Ward
Hello, I’m Dr. Michael Ward, the youngest of six children, born in southern New Jersey where I aspired to be a “Rodeo Star” and a veterinarian. Upon graduating from high school I moved to the Cowboy state of Wyoming to start college and to learn more about rodeo. After several bruises and broken bones I decided that I would rather study hard and admit animals to the hospital instead of them putting me in there. Then I moved to the “Big Sky” country of Montana to get serious about my veterinary studies at Montana State University. In 1994, an opportunity arose to transfer to North Carolina State University to complete my studies. I took it and I have never looked back. I met my lovely wife, Kathy, who is also a veterinarian, while attending NCSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and I graduated in 2000.
After graduation I moved to Johnston County and I worked as a mixed animal veterinarian for the next eight years. In May of 2008, my family of four including Kathy, Brier, Ellie and I, drove to Alaska. I was privileged to work for the summer with sled dogs, reindeer, bears and musk ox and also to enjoy the wonderful sights that Alaska has to offer. This adventure has allowed me and my wife to come closer to our goal of “50 by 50.” “50 by 50” means we want to travel to all 50 states by the time we are 50 years old. Feel free to come in and ask me which states we are missing!
Along with being a veterinarian I am the principle, maintenance coordinator and one of the custodians of our school. My wife does all of the schooling but I help with periodic discipline and I try to keep our school clean and running well. Home school is great for us and allows us to travel, learn and do field trips together as a family.
I enjoy participating in Boy Scout adventures with my son, and helping and watching my daughter ride our horse Duncan. Also, we all enjoy 4-H. My hobbies include traveling with my family, backyard farming (I call this “diesel therapy”) and the outdoors. My interest in chickens began as a child and I still proudly display the Cape May County 4-H Fair Best Egg Award which I won in 1986.
We purchased Johnston Animal Hospital in February 2009 from Dr. Booker, the founder and long-time great veterinarian of Johnston County. I am serious about preventative health care and I believe in open communication with my clients about their pets. I enjoy challenging and complicated surgeries and difficult medical cases. I have fun meeting new people and talking to long-time friends during their appointments. Stop by to say hello, get a tour and see some interesting “Rodeo Star” pictures.
One last thing… People always say, “You must have a lot of pets since you are a vet!” In our home we have a Boykin Spaniel named Chara, a black medium- haired kitty named Emberpaw and a collection of pocket pets and fish my children have obtained. On our farm we have a horse named Duncan, some cows, chickens, a periodic pig and a kennel of Foxhounds. Now you know what this vet has!