Working as a veterinarian for several decades, Dr. Barbara Mix, DVM ’82, has treated species large and small, familiar and exotic, from alpacas to zebras.

In recognition of the cumulative and consistent impact of her veterinary and volunteer work in and around her hometown of Horseheads, New York, Mix was named the latest recipient of the Cornell New York State Hometown Alumni Award.

Mix currently works part time as a veterinarian at the Chemung County Veterinary Clinic and runs her own large-animal practice. She also volunteers with the Kramer Foundation, fostering and rehabilitating dogs for placement with law enforcement and the military.

Mix began her career as a veterinarian in Canandaigua, New York, where she also worked as a 4-H leader, became a mom to daughter Mary Jo and mentored students in a BOCES animal science program. In 2002 she moved back to her home county, where she has continued her practice, does relief small-animal work, runs her own 40-acre farm and devotes free time to volunteering.

In addition to her work with the Kramer Foundation, Mix volunteers at the Greater Southern Tier BOCES, where she serves on the animal science advisory board. She provides students with internship opportunities, provides veterinary care for the resident animals, and has developed the animal science program curriculum and wrote the syllabus for the program on careers in veterinary medicine and animal care.

For many years Mix also was on call for the New York State Police, responding to accident scenes that involved overturned trucks and carriers, and animals that were often loose or injured.

As part of the award, Cornell is donating $500 in Mix’s name to the Kramer Foundation and $500 to the Vindonoh Horse Shelter, which aids abandoned horses.

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