Animal Planet features new series about Tuskegee University veterinarians
It’s called “The Vet Life” and it makes its debut Saturday, June 4, at 9 p.m. CST on The Animal Planet.
The show follows three Tuskegee University graduates – veterinarians Dr. Diarra Blue, Dr. Aubrey Ross and Dr. Michael Lavigne. The series captures the ups and downs of the doctors’ lives as they juggle a new business; family time filled with spouses, parents, in-laws, children, pets and friends; and the life-and-death drama surrounding the animals, and their loved ones, coming through their clinic.
Alabama NewsCenter’s Keisa Sharpe spoke with Dr. Michael Lavigne recently by phone. He’s one-third of the star trio that are keeping it together at Cy-Fair Animal Hospital in Cypress, Texas.
“The Vet Life” debuts June 4 on Animal Planet from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Tell us about your show.
The cool thing about this show is that it puts a different spin on shows that deal with veterinary medicine. It combines our careers with our lives at home.
Talk about your history and relationships with Dr. Ross and Dr. Blue.
The three of us bonded quickly (in college) and we consider ourselves brothers. We have each others’ backs. What people see on television is genuine and it comes across the screen.
In fact, Dr. Blue and Dr. Ross are family. I was immediately accepted as part of their families and it’s always felt right.
Walk us through how your story began with meeting the other doctors.
We would hang out when we had time in college and upon graduation, Dr. Ross and I both took advantage of a program in Las Vegas where we’d done our externship hours. A group had several practices in Las Vegas and we were offered a job upon completion of our hours.
We’d talked for years about wanting to do our own thing, with Dr. Ross being from Houston and me being from New Orleans. We finally decided to locate our practice in Dr. Ross’ hometown and Cy-Fair Animal Hospital became a reality for us. Dr. Blue is a few years younger, but he went through the same externship program in Vegas and we decided to bring him along as well.
What are some of the challenges of filming this show?
Cy-Fair Animal Hospital’s Dr. Blue, Dr. Ross and Dr. Lavigne (Photo by Shannon Faulk / AP)
I was nervous about when we started because we were new business owners. I wondered how this show would affect everything. But now I know there was no reason to worry. The crews are respectful and understand business comes first. There are times we need to stop filming and handle emergencies. We take the time we need to handle those unexpected things and work continues – in our practice and filming the show.
So how was your camera debut?
Honestly, we do business as normal and I try to act like those cameras aren’t there. That’s what has given us the best result. I’ve definitely been blessed to do things to get out of my comfort level and to experience new things. I’m really excited about the show. I hope people like it. I think people will enjoy it because it’s genuine.
What will viewers take away from the show?
It adds another element to television, I believe. Animal Planet has done a good job with balancing veterinary medicine with medicine for the soul.
Other facts about the show:
- The doctors began their careers in Las Vegas, before they decided to open their Texas-based practice Cy-Fair Animal Hospital in 2015.
- The veterinarians are dedicated to providing the best care for their patients – both human and animal. Dr. Blue’s personality keeps them smiling and in good spirits. Dr. Ross keeps the clinic running during an often hectic work day. Dr. Lavigne is a skilled surgeon who provides balance.
- They have a combined experience of more than 22 years and a shared love of animals.
- They love to educate the public about the importance of preventive medicine in order to extend the longevity of the human and animal bond.
- A campus viewing of the new series is scheduled Thursday, June 2, at Tuskegee University.
