BSCTC Alumni Recognized as Kentucky Veterinarian of the Year

Published on Dec 17, 2025

Alumni of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) are building legacies in their communities, and for Dr. Joey Collins, DVM, that legacy extends far beyond his veterinary clinic. A proud BSCTC alumnus, Collins was recently recognized as Veterinarian of the Year by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association.

Growing up on Mare Creek in the Stanville area, Collins is a proud native of Eastern Kentucky and a graduate of Prestonsburg Community College (PCC), now known as BSCTC. He earned his Associate of Science degree in 1983 and credits the education he received at BSCTC as the foundation that prepared him for continued success.

“PCC was so good to me,” he said. “With all the growth and learning I had there, it was the ground floor to all my success.”

The Kentucky Veterinarian of the Year award honors veterinarians for their expertise and commitment to the profession, recognizing the lasting impact they have on their communities.

“It’s an honor, but it’s not just about me. It’s about everyone who has helped me along the way,” Collins said. He continued by naming his family, friends, colleagues and instructors who helped shape the veterinarian he is today.

Collins credits the dedicated faculty at BSCTC for helping shape his academic success, particularly one instructor who not only taught him the material needed to prepare for veterinary school but also helped him develop study habits that changed how he approached learning.

“I had Ken Fuller for general chemistry, and he really taught study habits and all. I learned a lot as far as how to study and how to put the time in to study,” Collins said. “I think it would have been very hard on me to go to the University of Kentucky or something of that nature without going to community college first.”

Based on his own experience, Collins is a strong advocate for students beginning their education at a community college before transferring to a four-year college or university.

“The personal attention is so much greater at a community college. I definitely recommend it before a university because it is a step-by-step process in my mind,” Collins said.

Collins’ interest in veterinary medicine began when he was 13, after a veterinarian who traveled from West Liberty visited his family farm and helped stitch up his injured horse. His love for animals, the farm and his education helped cement his decision to pursue higher education and aspire to become the veterinarian he is today.

He established his clinic, East Kentucky Animal Clinic, in the fall after graduating from Auburn University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He settled in Pikeville to continue helping “mountain people” like him and his family before him.

Collins has practiced as a veterinarian for the past 37 years and now practices alongside his daughter, Dr. Jordan Thacker, DVM, continuing a legacy of service in Eastern Kentucky. His journey stands as an example that no dream is too large for students who step onto a BSCTC campus.