At the animal clinic in Mitchell, South Dakota, there is one veterinarian--Dr. Mike Patrick. He works day and night taking care of animals both large and small. But he has some special assistants to make the practice run smoothly. His wife, Jean, manages the office, and his three children--Catherine, Shea, and Kendall--often help on farm calls and in the clinic. In this remarkable photo essay, author Jean Patrick and award-winning photographer Alvis Upitis give readers an inside view of a veterinary practice that is a family affair. In one twenty-four-hour period, Shea helps with an emergency calving, Kendall goes on a farm call to help vaccinate a herd of beef cattle, and Catherine assists with surgeries at the clinic. This portrait of a contemporary family living and working together reveals the day-to-day joys and challenges each child encounters.

Photographs by: Alvis Upitis