Blackwell Animal Hospital welcomes Dr. Erica Nightengale to veterinary team

Blackwell Animal Hospital welcomed a new veterinarian to its staff earlier this summer with the addition of Dr. Erica Nightengale, a recent Oklahoma State University graduate with deep roots in north-central Oklahoma agriculture.

Nightengale joined the Blackwell Animal Hospital team in June after graduating from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine earlier this year.

A native of Billings, Nightengale grew up in a family with a long history of farming and raising livestock. She is a third-generation graduate of Billings High School, where she was actively involved in the local FFA chapter.

Following high school, Nightengale attended Oklahoma State University, earning a degree in animal science before continuing at OSU for veterinary school.

Nightengale has a particular interest in food animal medicine, especially bovine medicine, although her work encompasses animals of all kinds.

Working in a rural mixed-animal practice has long been a goal for Nightengale, and joining Blackwell Animal Hospital has allowed her to return to the area where she grew up and provide veterinary services to local residents, farmers and livestock producers.

Her agricultural background extends beyond the classroom and veterinary clinic. Nightengale has raised and shown sheep for approximately 15 years and continues to care for her own flock. She also spends time helping with her family's cattle and other projects on the farm.

Away from work, Nightengale enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching professional rodeo, reading and cooking with her mother.

She also has plenty of animals of her own, including four dogs — Pistol, Henry, Bear and Annie — a house cat named Bullet and several barn cats.

Blackwell Animal Hospital announced Nightengale's arrival earlier this summer, saying staff members were excited to welcome the new associate veterinarian to the practice.