Kyle Shipman to lead Indiana's Animal Health

By Andi Anderson

Kyle Shipman, DVM, has been appointed as Indiana’s new State Veterinarian by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). Shipman, who has been serving as the Interim State Veterinarian since October 2024, received unanimous approval for the position. Governor Eric Holcomb has agreed to delay the appointment until Governor-elect Mike Braun takes office on January 13, 2025, at which point Braun will formally approve the appointment.

Currently, Shipman serves as the director of BOAH’s Animal Programs Division. He is a graduate of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture (Animal Sciences). Shipman has played a crucial role in handling various animal health challenges in Indiana, including responding to the 2016 avian influenza outbreak in Dubois County and leading efforts to combat bovine tuberculosis in Southeastern Indiana.

In addition to his extensive experience in animal health management, Shipman has enhanced his expertise by participating in international training programs, including a course in Uganda focused on diagnosing and responding to foot-and-mouth disease. He is also a USDA-certified Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician and completed the Indiana AgriInstitute’s two-year Agricultural Leadership Program in 2020.

Shipman will succeed Dr. Bret Marsh, who served as the State Veterinarian for 30 years before stepping down to become Dean of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski