Dr. Michael M.

Like many, Dr. McKinney’s desire to become a veterinarian began early in life. For most of his education, he wanted to follow a traditional veterinary path and become a small animal veterinarian at his local private practice. Not until vet school did he discover his true passion: “non-traditional” veterinary medicine.

During vet school, he took numerous electives in exotic animal care, laboratory animal medicine, and zoo and wildlife conservation. Dr. McKinney received innumerable scholarships at Ohio State, including the Veterinary Medicine Alumni Scholarship and the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship. He was also inducted into the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honors Society and received the Foster Award for Academic Excellence in Laboratory Animal Medicine. After vet school, the drive to learn more about these fields led him to a two-year residency in laboratory animal medicine and, ultimately, board certification.

As a lab animal veterinarian, Dr. McKinney’s passion for exotic animal species is balanced with his love for biomedical research. As the son of a type 1 diabetic, he understands the value of advancing medicine and producing high-quality research. Furthermore, as a veterinarian, he ensures the quality of this research by using his skills and expertise to ensure that animal health and welfare are held to the highest standards.

Dr. McKinney regularly mentors pre-veterinary students from many backgrounds through his growing outreach program. His approach to coaching is centered on collaboration and, most importantly, teamwork. He focuses on truly understanding each student’s goals and aspirations within veterinary medicine. In this approach, he brings out the incredible passion that all pre-vet students have. 

What sets Dr. McKinney apart as a consultant is how he helps students share their passion. Whether writing a personal statement, sharing work experiences, or preparing for an interview, Dr. McKinney helps students find their voice in veterinary medicine.