Doc Wiggins Marks 60 Years of Scotland County Veterinary Clinic

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By Echo Menges

 

Dr. Larry Wiggins, D.V.M., better known as “Doc,” celebrated 60 years in business as the premier veterinarian of Scotland County, Missouri, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

The Scotland County Veterinary Clinic welcomed visitors throughout the day who came to celebrate the milestone and honor Doc as one of the county’s favorite citizens.

Visitors were greeted by Doc and his staff with festive decorations and an assortment of finger foods, cookies and desserts. The music of Johnny Cash played in the background as guests visited with Doc, hugged, laughed, cried and reminisced about his time operating the clinic.

The Scotland County Veterinary Clinic officially opened for business on June 10, 1965, and has been going strong ever since. Doc has cared for all types of animals throughout his career and has remained busy since he opened his practice.

“I graduated on June 9 and came here on June 10. The first day, I had three vet calls. In 1967 I built this building,” Doc Wiggins told the Memphis Democrat.

Starting out wasn’t easy for Doc. In early 1964, he faced financial roadblocks that nearly kept him from settling in Scotland County.

“I was here in February of 1964 and I got acquainted with some of the people. I needed to borrow $1,500 for a cattle chute and veterinary supplies. I went down to the Bank of Memphis and the banker wouldn’t lend me $1,500. He told me a veterinarian couldn’t make a living here. So, I went back to the Extension Office and told them I wouldn’t be back. A week later they sent me a letter and told me they wanted me to come back up. When I came back up, the Extension Office was full of farmers. They were standing out in the street, and they encouraged me to come back up. Some of my friends had called down and talked to my instructors at the university, and they told me to come back up here, too,” explained Doc.

Originally from New Cambria, Missouri, Doc and his wife, Patricia, along with their baby son, David, relocated to a two-story house less than two miles east of Memphis, Missouri, just one day after he graduated from veterinary school at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Since making Scotland County his home, he and Patricia raised four children—David, Beth, Mark and Sally—all of whom he is proud of.

Over the years, Doc has become known for his love of tractors, tractor pulls, restoring and collecting antique tractors, and collecting historical relics of Scotland County.

After 60 years in business, Doc, at age 85, has no plans to retire.

“I get asked about every week when I’m going to retire. I look them in the eye and say, I never will because I want to see good people like you,” said Doc.