Michael Baniewicz

Cattle, canines and other critters (for @mophotoworkshop)

As the owners of Maryville’s Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Michael Roberts and his wife, Veterinary Technician Teri Roberts take care of the local animals. Since 2013, the couple and their staff have been treating all classes of livestock and small animals at their clinic. Between them, they have a combined 35 years of experience in large and small animal medicine.

Their couple’s experience of caring for animals began much earlier, though. Growing up in Eddyville, Iowa, Michael found himself caring for calves, cows and pigs on his family’s farm. Teri grew up on a farm that raised feeder pigs in Craig, Missouri. In kindergarten, the second book Dr. Michael Roberts checked out at the library titled “I Want to Be a Veterinarian.” Teri said she knew she wanted to pursue veterinary medicine in eighth grade.

“[My family] had a dog that got sick with parvo and the veterinarian had saved its life,” Terri Roberts said. “I wanted to do that. I wanted to be that caregiver, too.”

This year, the Roberts family have been focusing on their own recovery efforts after their barn caught on fire in March. The fire killed the family’s meat goats, including 57 kids and 18 moms. After their barn fire, Teri said many members of their community stepped up to offer their support.

“Up until the fire, we didn’t realize how supportive we were for the community,” Terri said. “Since the fire, people in the community really came forward and helped us through that.”

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A special thank you to the participating photographers, faculty and crew of the 78th Missouri Photo Workshop for making this special week possible. I am especially grateful for the feedback and support from my coaches @terrafondriest and @randyolson. Thank you to the photojournalists in Team Eisert, including @spencesphotography, @_sukrum_, @karen_ohern, @karinapatelphoto, @wintels_photography, @jakestoutphoto, and @celiaw.inframe.