"a really cool place to visit"

The farm produced dairy products along with hay. The success of the farm depended largely on the health and well-being of the livestock on the farm. Dr. Knape early on showed a knack for taking care of these animals and keeping them healthy. His love for animals led him to Texas A&M University where he graduated in 1976 with a degree in veterinary medicine specializing in “Farm Animals.” After graduation, he went to work in Nacogdoches, Texas for Doctors Jim and Mike Ward. He continued this work for five years before returning to the dairy farm to begin his own practice. He was accompanied by his wife and practice manager, Cheryl, whom he met in a high school biology class. Cheryl is not only the practice manager, but as she puts it, “has done every job here.”

They are also joined by Mr. Gary Batson, veterinary technician extraordinaire, who has been with the Knapes since the beginning. Gulf Coast Large Animal Clinic is not only dedicated to the health and well-being of the livestock that they work with every day, it is also a teaching clinic. FFA students come out to see firsthand what it takes to keep these animals healthy and how to treat all manners of afflictions. Gulf Coast Large Animal Clinic is also just a “really cool place to visit”. It sits on 200 acres that is the original dairy farm that Dr. Knape was raised on and still calls home. It is not unusual to see busloads of school children on field trips learning at a young age about the love and care that goes into taking care of these animals. A word to the wise, “watch your lunches, the goats know they are there.” Dr. Knape has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. The one that he holds with pride was the implementation of mandatory drug testing for all livestock shown at the local rodeo. He chaired this board starting in 1989 and oversaw the compliance. It made the show fair for everyone and is used to this day.