New Prairie Large Animal Practice

08/12/2025

I apologize for the last minute notice...

Dr Smith will be unavailable and the office closed Wednesday 13 Aug 2025.

We will return to normal Thursday August 14th.

07/27/2025

We have a few spots open next week Monday-Wednesday for equine dentals! This rarely happens!

Contact either one of us to get on the dental schedule for this upcoming week!
Contact us Monday-Friday 9 am-5pm!

Dr. Kate 219-484-3044
Ken 219-484-0008

07/15/2025

What you are all anxiously awaiting....

Doc will be returning to work Monday July 21st. For now it will be strictly light duty easier calls until his strength and mobility get better. This is your reminder. You must contain and/or control your animals. If your animal is disrespectful and/or cannot be treated safely then we are unable to provide care. Doc's safety is the most important consideration right now. Our job is to provide you with veterinary care. Not train, catch, and/or wrestle your animal. Please help us help you .

If you anticipate needing a health paper or coggins between now and August 1st, you need to let me know ASAP. You have until Friday July 18th or you will wait til after Aug 1st.

Appointment or medicine requests via text or FB messenger will not be available after Friday July 18th. As always we are closed on weekends. You will need to call the office starting Monday July 21st.

07/14/2025

Personal message from Dr Smith....

On Saturday, I was surprised to be honored at the Horse and Pony Arena for my service to 4H and the horse community. I was given a beautiful 4H Belt Buckle engraved with "Lifetime Commitment". For that, I sincerely THANK YOU! I have served the area for 49 years. I still love the veterinary profession and the clients that I have worked with; 3 and 4 generations in some cases. Age has affected some physical abilities, but I plan to be working full time again once healed from my orthopedic issues. I want to say a special thanks to Donna and Donnell, who work with me every day, trying to keep me organized.

Sincerely Dr Larry W Smith

Whew and let me tell you. Its a full time job just keeping him going. I want to thank Libby Wilson for spearheading this and John Langford for his speech. Doc was truly surprised and left speechless.

07/03/2025

Well apparently the first post disappeared.

With this being a three day holiday weekend and fair starting... If you need meds for the weekend you need to contact me ASAP to make arrangements. I will NOT be going back to office until Monday so you have until today at 5 to make arrangements.

06/09/2025

Its been a year. And here we go again. If you have seen Doc recently then you know how bad he has been struggling just to walk. He tried his best to hold out because he didn't want to let his clients down, the pain just got to be too much to take a step, that said, Doc is finally getting his other knee taken care of. If you need care seek another vet. I will handle office or medicine needs as they come up but I will not be keeping set hours. Message on here or text if you have my number, otherwise call and leave a message and will get to you as I can.

05/30/2025

Cosmetic dehorn season has officially started. Now scheduling for end of July & August tour dates. Be sure to call Megan to schedule

05/29/2025

Free Tickets are available in our office if you are interested .

05/29/2025

Anyone missing their piggy? This one was found on Olive Branch Road in Galien. If so, pm us to be put in touch with the kind folks that took it in.

05/27/2025

Remembering the fallen this Memorial Day. We may not know you, but we owe you.

He stands in silence. Without a rider. Without glory. Only an empty saddle and a heavy, hunched body. Before you is a monument to the horse that went through war. His rider did not return. And now he stands as a symbol of all those who fought without a choice, who carried pain, weight, and death on their backs.

This monument is located in Lexington, Virginia. But its meaning is universal. It honors all horses lost in wars — especially during the American Civil War. It’s known as The Riderless Horse. And in its silence, there is more sorrow than a thousand words could express.

This is not just bronze. This is grief. This is honor. This is a memory of those who had no voice, yet served until their final breath. His lowered head is a prayer. His empty saddle is a loss. His posture is a testament to loyalty that asks no questions — it simply goes… until it falls.

We bow not only to the soldiers who fought. We bow to those who carried them — through mud, through fire, through fear… and still moved forward.

Because sometimes, the truest heroes are silent.

05/12/2025

Because many have waited and appear to be confused on deadlines for LaPorte County Horse and Pony 4H.

The deadline to sign your horse up is May 15th.

The deadline for your 4H vaccinations is June 1st.

If you still need vaccinations, you need call and get scheduled. DO NOT WAIT TILL LAST MINUTE. Best time to call office is between 9 am and 1 pm Monday through Friday.

05/12/2025