Veterinarian Overview
Dr. Tappmeyer opened the Wright City Veterinary Clinic in 1978, he found that practicing veterinary medicine at his own clinic was similar to what James Herriott described in his books, including "All Creatures Great and Small." "The people and the medications (in the books) were different, but the personalities and the situations were similar," Dr. Tappmeyer said. "In my early years, West St. Louis County was all rural. By my high school days it was all suburbia. I am one of the few veterinarians in the area that has a farm background," Dr. Tappmeyer, who grew up in Creve Croeur, said. "We had mules, cows, hogs and chickens." In high school, he shadowed two veterinarians at County Veterinary Hospital in St. Charles. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri, Dr. Tappmeyer was accepted into the veterinary program in his sophomore year. He graduated with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1974. He was the recipient of the Ebert Award for Outstanding Equine Student. Today, Dr. Tappmeyer is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association and the Greater St. Louis Veterinary Medical Association. With three grown children, Dr. Tappmeyer and his wife Cheryl now share their home with a variety of pets, including their dogs Mr. Bud and Buddy Jr.; sister cats named Wrinkles and Waffles; Pedro, a rescue donkey; and JR, a mini-donkey. He is an active member of the Friedens United Church of Christ, an assistant troop leader with Boy Scout Troop 22, and a volunteer at the Independence Center Fishin' Mission. He enjoys farming, hiking, camping and vintage tractors.
