Doing More

y the end of her first semester, she had joined the masses in the College of Agriculture’s animal sciences pre-vet major. However, as Thompson began thinking about career options outside of veterinarian school, a friend suggested that she consider switching her major to poultry science. With that suggestion, Thompson thought back to her uncle’s poultry farm and the stable income it provided for his family, despite tremendous hard work and sacrifice. The promise of a stable future in Alabama’s booming poultry industry, combined with her desire to be a veterinarian, was a perfect recipe for Thompson’s future in avian medicine.

n June 2024, Alabama Extension made a big investment in Alabama’s poultry industry by naming Thompson as the system’s first veterinarian solely dedicated to poultry. Thompson first learned about the position while discussing some thoughts that she had on curriculum improvements within the Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine.

In a post-graduation survey, she expressed her desire for veterinary students to have more opportunities to learn about avian medicine. Thompson said it is imperative to provide foundational knowledge to small-animal veterinarians who may see a family’s beloved pet chicken in the same visit as the family dog.

“The commercial poultry industry is incredibly important to Alabama,” Thompson said. “There are also families raising small flocks who have a vested interest in their animals and want what is best for them. With pressing issues — such as the ongoing threat of avian influenza and judicious antibiotic use in food-producing animals — it is so important for all veterinary students to be equipped with the knowledge to make the right decisions when treating chickens. It takes all of us working together to preserve the integrity and the safety of our food supply, from the backyard to the broiler house.”

This is where Thompson knows she will find herself — serving as a bridge between university research and all facets of the poultry industry.

“This position is for the integrated industry, producers, general practitioners, backyard flock owners and everyone in between,” Thompson said.

“We need to show that what we do at Auburn University is relevant and important to people in all areas of the poultry industry in Alabama.”

Thompson said coming back to Auburn to teach in some capacity was a life goal of hers. Both Thompson and her husband, Andrew, are in the poultry industry. She takes credit for convincing him that it is an industry worth joining.

“I told him that people are always going to eat chicken,” Thompson said. “Thanks to the help of some amazing poultry science faculty, Andrew was able to get a poultry science degree in two years, after a shift from education. He is working in poultry sales right now, but he spent his first 10 years in live production. This industry means a lot to our family.”

As an alumna of Auburn’s Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Thompson said she is thrilled to return to the university and to have the opportunity to serve the Alabama poultry industry in this new role.

“As someone who grew up in Opp, where the integrated poultry industry is so important to so many families, I can think of no better way for Auburn to introduce this new position to the state than through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System,” Thompson said. “Our poultry farmers are the heartbeat of our industry. Without them, the protein we currently provide for consumers would not exist.”

In addition to serving as a bridge between Auburn research and the integrated poultry industry, Thompson is looking forward to mentoring students who are pursuing a path that is similar to hers. “My goal is to help poultry science and veterinary students open doors for their futures,” Thompson said. “I want to encourage them, connect them with individuals who can help them reach their personal or professional goals and, ultimately, help them make connections prior to graduation, so they are prepared to enter the work force. I am so excited about mentoring the next generation of poultry veterinarians.”

hompson’s position showcases a unique partnership among Alabama Extension, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment System. Alabama Extension Director Mike Phillips said Thompson will make immediate impacts in the poultry industry in Alabama.

“Avian influenza has been, and continues to be, a serious concern throughout the poultry industry,” Phillips said. “Dr. Thompson’s poultry disease expertise will be a tremendous asset to the state’s poultry industry, and she will excel in her role educating and updating stakeholders.”

Calvin Johnson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said the college has taken a major step in hiring Thompson.

“Dr. Thompson has excellent working relationships within the poultry industry,” Johnson said. “She will be in an excellent position to integrate current trends in poultry health with production systems, research programs and veterinary education.”

Thompson’s family is all in when it comes to the poultry industry. Her children point out poultry houses on the side of the road, and she even dresses them as chickens for Halloween. Her goals as the Alabama Extension poultry veterinarian are lofty, but she is intent on reaching them.

“You will not find anyone who is more passionate about the Alabama poultry industry than I am,” Thompson said. “I want ‘send those samples to Auburn’ to be the first thing that comes to mind for Alabama poultry growers. I also want to hear, ‘I want to pursue a poultry medicine residency at Auburn.’”

Thompson believes that Alabama’s poultry industry, in partnership with Auburn, has the resources to build a reputation that will rival neighboring states’ universities. She wants Auburn’s name to be high on the list when veterinary students consider avian medicine specialties.

“I want to be at the forefront of earning that reputation,” Thompson said.