A biography of and interview with Andrew M. Draper

Abstract

With his background in agriculture, Andrew Draper anticipated a long career working with dairy cattle when he graduated from Cornell's veterinary program in 1938. He worked for two years in New Jersey in the new field of artificial insemination, then established a thriving large animal practice in his home state of Connecticut. Like many from his generation, he spent the war years performing regulatory work for the Bureau of Animal Industry. Shortly after his discharge from the service, Dr. Draper was seriously injured by a cow and spent almost three years in recovery and rehabilitation. He turned to small animals and developed an interest in the new field of veterinary dermatology. A substantial amount of his practice in later years was devoted to treating dogs and cats with skin problems. Retiring in 1972 after the death of his first wife and his own challenge with cancer, Dr. Draper and his second wife relocated to Ocala, Florida where they enjoyed their retirement years surrounded by horses and dogs, and engaging in competitive dancing.