.jpg)
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Drs. Ben and Erin Schroeder, Hartington, were selected by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Alumni Association for its 2025 Alumni Recognition Award announced in conjunction with the winter meeting of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association held Jan. 30.
The award was presented by the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association in recognition for the time and effort devoted to advancing veterinary medicine and for being an exemplary role model for future alumni in a professional and community setting.
The Schroeders own and operate Cedar County Veterinary Services where they also star in Nat Geo Wild’s show “Heartland Docs, DVM,” which debuted in 2020.
Ben, a Coleridge native, attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, while Erin, from New York, attended Syracuse University.
The couple met at K-State while Ben was a third-year veterinary student and Erin was a first-year veterinary student.
Ben completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) in 2002, and Erin completed her DVM in 2004.
“We would like to say thank you to everyone involved in selecting us for this year’s award,” Drs. Erin and Ben Schroeder said. “Being veterinarians in Nebraska has been a wonderful blessing. Every single day in our profession is different and exciting. Our time at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine was the start of a wonderful and rewarding career.”
“Drs. Ben and Erin Schroeder are the most visible and effective ambassadors for rural veterinary practice today. The world has a front row seat to the difference they make through veterinary medicine in the lives of animals and people in their Nebraska community,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, Hodes Family Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “They are inspiring new generations of future veterinarians, and have been excellent role models for current veterinary students. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to recognize them in their home state with this well-deserved award.”
Ben grew up as the son of a veterinarian. Dr. John Schroeder, a 1972 Iowa State graduate, started Cedar County Veterinary Services and practiced for 30 years in Cedar County.
Erin grew up in Westport, New York. They married in 2001, while both were still in veterinary college. After Ben graduated in 2002, he worked in a small animal practice in Manhattan.
Their son, Charlie, was born while Erin was still in veterinary college. The Schroeders’ other son, Chase, was born a couple of years later.
In addition to running their veterinary practice, Ben and Erin have both found time to help coach basketball in Cedar County and to restore two local landmarks: the Hartington Hotel and the Globe Clothing store.
They ran the hotel as a bed and breakfast with a coffee shop and gift shop.
It was their work on the hotel that was instrumental in leading to a reality TV show.
The Schroeders are members of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners and South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association.
In 2024, the Schroeders were invited to be the keynote speakers during the commencement exercises for the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.
