Dr. Kenneth Pierce had an established clinical ophthalmology practice,  Veterinary Vision Center, in Shreveport, LA, when he recognized that pets in underserved regions of the United States also needed specialty care. He was inspired to create VESPECON to bridge the gap between veterinary specialists and general practitioners and to expand pet owner access to referrals and specialty care for their pets. 

As VESPECON founder and CEO, Dr. Pierce uses his passion and expertise to empower veterinary professionals and enhance the lives of animals every day. He also works as VESPECON’s ophthalmology specialist. 

During veterinary school, Dr. Pierce became fascinated by the eye’s remarkable complexity and its potential to transform animals’ lives. In his clinical ophthalmology practice, he cared for a diverse range of animals with ocular impairments and performed intricate surgeries to slow vision loss and restore sight.

For Dr. Pierce, nothing is more gratifying than intervening with surgery that will maintain the sight of an animal with a potentially blinding condition for as long as possible. During his clinical ophthalmology practice work, Dr. Pierce, who was the only specialist in his area, was asked to care for pets throughout the southern United States. This opened his eyes to the need for specialty care in all U.S. general practices. Dr. Pierce became determined to provide a resource that would break down the barriers to specialty care for all pets and decided to create a platform for specialty care and referral services for veterinary general practices. Thus began VESPECON, which provides advisory support and concierge referral services. 

Dr. Kenneth Pierce: Q & A

We wanted you to know what drives Dr. Pierce and his mission to provide eye care and every manner of specialty care to pets in need every day.  

His answers to some of our interview questions explain:

Question: Where did you complete your veterinary education?
Answer: I completed my DVM degree at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, my internship at the University of Tennessee, and my residency and master’s degrees at Michigan State University. 

Q: Where are you from, and where do you currently live?
A: I am from New Orleans, LA, and currently live in Dallas, TX. 

Q: Why did you choose to pursue a specialty, and why ophthalmology?
A: I was always interested in becoming a specialist. Then, I took an ophthalmology class in veterinary school and that solidified my desire. I was amazed by this small, intricate organ that does so much, and how it’s possible to visualize disease processes with the naked eye. The medical and surgical aspects of ophthalmology are mind-blowing, and after that class, I was hooked.

Q: What do you enjoy most about ophthalmology?
A: I enjoy the variety of animals I have been able to examine and treat. Most of all, restoring sight to a visually compromised animal and feeling the owner’s gratitude is so special. I feel so good knowing their pet’s quality of life has been improved. 

Q: What has been your most fulfilling or interesting case?
A: I provided a consultation for a young cat with severe eyelid and conjunctival inflammation and swelling, right corneal ulceration, and right eye blindness. The cat’s owners had significant financial constraints and were considering having the eye removed after receiving misinformation before seeing their primary veterinarian. Because their veterinarian was a VESPECON member, we consulted at no cost to the owner and discussed the cat’s diagnosis and low-cost treatment options. After two weeks of therapy, the cat’s vision was restored, and the ulcer and eyelid inflammation were resolved. The owners and veterinarian were impressed and grateful, and the cat was much more comfortable. 

Q: Tell us about your two-and four-legged family members.
A: I am the proud dad of a 3-year-old French bulldog named Vieux Carré and a 2-year-old daughter named Morgan. 

Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I enjoy scuba diving, traveling, cooking, and spending time with my family. 

Q: What is the most interesting place you have traveled?
A: New Zealand and Australia. My bucket list destination is the Maldives.

Dr. Pierce is excited that VESPECON continues to impact the veterinary profession and the health of pets nationwide.  Consult with him or any of our skilled VESPECON specialists using our face-to-face and real-time consultations. Our unique virtual platform brings specialty veterinary medical care to general practitioners and clients with the click of a button. Contact us to learn more about our services and sign up to consult with a VESPECON specialist.