Alan J. Ruggles

Dr. Ruggles has been my mentor for over 15 years. First as an intern, then as a program director during my surgery residency, and now as a colleague and mentor at Rood and Riddle. He has a passion for training residents to become surgeons but also continuing to mentor young surgeons in the beginning of their careers. He has been a comforting and supporting presence for my entire career.

- Alecsya Broyles, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal)

Dr. Ruggles’s mentorship has been invaluable for surgeons he has trained and for those he continues to train. He is always available to discuss cases, review images, or assist on a particularly complicated surgery. His clinical experience and willingness to share those experiences, good or bad, is another reason we have all enjoyed learning from him.

- Alexandra Libby Curtiss, VMD, DACVS (Large Animal)

Al has been one of the most influential mentors in my career. He embraces both the scientific and the practical sides of equine surgery. He is very deserving of this recognition.

- Katherine S. Garrett, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal)

Dr. Ruggles is always available and very willing to offer advice about cases and provide insight on treatment options. I have greatly benefited from his insight and appreciate his mentorship.

- Shannon Marie Hinton, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal)

Dr. Ruggles was not only a supportive mentor during my residency program but has continued to provide prompt guidance on cases throughout my career. He is endlessly supportive, accompanied by a serious does of sarcasm and humor. In addition to the case management and surgical skills, one of the greatest lessons I learned from Dr. Ruggles was empathy and patience with clients with genuine emotional challenges (that may come as a surprise to some, but it is absolutely true).

- Taralyn McCarrel, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal)

Dr. Ruggles has been an instrumental part of the early years of my career. He fostered my interest in orthopedics as an intern, served as my advisor during residency, and is now one of my strongest advocates during my first year as a surgeon. He is often my first phone call when I need advice on a challenging case, and is always willing to share his knowledge and a funny story or two.

- Lindsay A. Seewald, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal)

Dr. Ruggles was my residency program director and had a significant influence on how I practice.

- Travis M. Tull, DVM, DACVS (Large Animal)