Dr. Ted Shope
In 1982 Dr. Ted Shope graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Upon earning his veterinary license, the LaGrange High School and McNeese alum returned to Lake Charles to practice. His career started with Dr. Morris at Morris Animal Clinic on McNeese Street as a small animal doctor. Later, he joined Dr. Mark Quilty and Dr. Jay Carter at Downtown Animal Hospital where he took over the large animal portion of the practice and assisted with small animal care as well. After Dr. Quilty's retirement, Dr. Shope and Dr. Carter became partners of Southern Veterinary Associates. In 1997 they opened a second location, Bayou South Animal Hospital to better serve the needs of their large animal clients, as well as expand the small animal practice. In 2011, Bayou South Animal Hospital became its own entity with Dr. Shope as sole owner.
During his early career, Dr. Shope taught as at McNeese State University as an adjunct professor and worked the saddling paddock at Delta Downs. Dr. Shope was a member of the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association and was a frequent public speaker on issues related to animal health care. He assisted with numerous research projects with the most recent being participation with the Meniscal Research Group.
Large animal medicine was Dr. Shope's passion and one that he enjoyed until the day of his death in October 2015.