Veterinarian Dave Johnsen retires after 38 years

    Doctors and staff at Veterinary Services held an open house Monday to honor Dave Johnsen, D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), as he retires after 38 years.
    Johnsen was born and raised on a farm in Holdrege but moved to Bird City, Kansas when he was in junior high.
    He said he always liked animals and he wanted to live a rural lifestyle.
    After graduating high school, Johnsen attended and graduated from Kansas State University (KSU) in Manhattan, Kansas as a D.V.M. in 1981.
    “I went to work as a new veterinarian for Dr. Kenneth Krausnick in Imperial,” said Johnsen.
    In 1988, Johnsen and Dr. Lex Thompson opened Veterinary Services and remained partners until Thompson retired, he said.
    In 2014, Troy Worth, D.V.M., bought Thompson’s half of the business and became partners with Johnsen.
    “Technology and medications have changed dramatically over the years,” he said.
    Veterinary Services uses digital x-rays and ultrasound now that didn’t exist when he was in school.
    “The younger vets keep me up to date on what’s new,” he laughed.
    Johnsen said he has appreciated his partners and the great staff throughout the years.
    “It definitely made the job easier,” he said.
    He likes the many clients he has worked with.
    “They aren’t just clients, they became friends,” he said.
    Johnsen and wife, Monica, live in Imperial and have three grown children.
    He doesn’t have any specific plans for retirement yet except chase grandkids, he said.
    “I guess I’m a poor planner,” he laughed. “But I’m sure I’ll find something to do.”
    The staff had a table with balloons, punch, a retirement cake and a flower pot full of cake pops decorated like pigs and chicks in Johnsen’s honor.