Ep 1. The Little Practice on the Prairie

In the season 1 premiere of Heartland Docs, DVM, viewers are introduced to the husband and wife veterinary team of Dr. Ben and Dr. Erin Schroeder who own and operate a small animal clinic in their hometown of Hartington, Nebraska. The episode titled "The Little Practice on the Prairie" takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day operations of the clinic and the challenges that come with being a veterinarian in rural America.

The episode begins with a call from a local rancher who has an emergency with one of his cows. Dr. Ben quickly hops in his truck and heads out to the ranch to assess the situation. He diagnoses the cow with a condition called milk fever, which can be fatal if left untreated. With the help of the rancher, Dr. Ben administers the necessary treatment and is able to save the cow's life.

Back at the clinic, Dr. Erin is working with a puppy who is suffering from a mystery illness. The young dog is lethargic, not eating, and has a high fever. Dr. Erin runs a series of tests and consults with a colleague to try and determine the cause of the illness. After ruling out several possibilities, Dr. Erin consults with a specialist and determines that the puppy has contracted a rare disease that is usually only found in tropical climates. With the diagnosis, Dr. Erin is able to administer the proper care, and the puppy makes a full recovery.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to know the Schroeder's and their staff, as well as the community they serve. The clinic is a small, family-owned business that has been in operation for over 40 years. Both Dr. Ben and Dr. Erin grew up in the area, and they are committed to providing top-notch veterinary care to the animals and people in their community.

In addition to the medical cases presented in the episode, viewers also get a glimpse into the Schroeder's personal lives. Dr. Ben and Dr. Erin are parents to three children and are heavily involved in their local church and community. They are also passionate about animal welfare and have created their own non-profit organization to help provide veterinary care to families who cannot afford it.

The show concludes with a heartwarming scene of Dr. Erin and her family visiting a local elementary school to teach the children about animal care. The episode highlights the importance of veterinarians in rural areas and the essential role they play in animal welfare and public health.

Overall, the first episode of Heartland Docs, DVM sets the tone for the rest of the series. It showcases the hard work and dedication of small-town veterinarians and demonstrates the impact they have on their communities. The mixture of medical cases, personal anecdotes, and community outreach make for an engaging and heartwarming episode that is sure to resonate with viewers.