As a dependent of a career Air Force fighter pilot, I grew up all over the world. When my father retired, my parents decided to establish roots in Georgia, where my grandparents lived. I finished high school, went to college, and graduated from Vet School in Georgia. But my dreams were to be a mixed animal practitioner, which meant I was going to be outdoors… A LOT! Growing up abroad I knew other climates were more appealing to me. Georgia was way warmer than I preferred. I started exploring other opportunities and options as I neared graduation in 1987.
I entertained moving as far north as possible without crossing the Mason-Dixon Line. I had developed a southern accent in the 12 years I lived in Georgia, and a lot of “southernisms”. I wanted to stay in the South. I interviewed in a number of places, and spent a weekend in Northern Kentucky in February. The air was cold, crisp, clean, and when we went on an emergency call for a sick horse, I saw stars in the sky like I had never seen before. I was in love! Just 500 miles north of my family roots I could finally enjoy 4 distinct seasons.
After graduation I moved to Northern Kentucky and began my career. It wasn’t long before I met my wife of the past 35 years, Melinda. I loved the countryside, the air, the seasons, the people, the roll of the land. I put down my roots in Kentucky. I still tease Melinda I’m a better Kentuckian than she…I CHOSE to live in Kentucky. She was just born here!
Kentucky has been a wonderful place for us to live, grow our families, pursue our careers, and to serve the community. It is my forever home. Everything and everywhere we could dream of is either here, or not too far away to travel and visit.
Kentucky has a thriving and vibrant outdoors lifestyle, including fishing, hunting, hiking, caving (spelunking), horseback riding, car racing, horse racing, canoeing/kayaking, and camping. Numerous attractions offer many opportunities to learn or just get away, like The Kentucky Horse Park, The Creation Museum, The Ark Encounter, the National Corvette Museum, Mammoth Cave, Cave Run Lake, Cumberland Lake, beautiful Horse Farms around Lexington to visit, numerous horse racing venues like Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, Keeneland, Red Mile, and Turfway Park. One of my favorite things to do is to follow The Bourbon Trail, visiting all the various Kentucky Bourbon Distillers! Kentucky has also developed an awesome Park system with which to further enjoy the outdoors, such as Natural Bridge or the Red River Gorge, two of our favorites. And if you’re in to horses… Kentucky has it ALL!
Northern Kentucky is just minutes from Cincinnati, the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati International Airport, and professional sports teams! Come visit, and stay awhile. Or, Make Northern Kentucky your home! I did.
Gregory T. Lloyd, DVM
Fear Free Certified Professional
