An equine veterinarian by profession, Dr. Phillip Kapraun began his career in the late 1970s. He began studying at St. Francis Seminary in Cincinnati as a candidate for Roman Catholic priesthood and graduated maxima cum laude as valedictorian of his class. The recipient of a President’s Scholarship, Dr. Phillip Kapraun then moved on to Loras College, where he began his studies in the life sciences.
After receiving a bachelor of science in biology in 1973, Dr. Phillip Kapraun enrolled in the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where he competed in intramural wrestling. By the time he received his doctorate in 1977, he had achieved an undefeated four-year history in competition and received the Outstanding Athlete Award.
Dr. Kapraun entered veterinary medicine in mixed practice at Harvard Veterinary Clinic in Harvard, Illinois. He treated livestock and small animals as well as exotic species such as camels, llamas, and ostriches. He became a partner in the practice in 1979 and began focusing exclusively on standardbred race horses.
Dr. Phillip Kapraun opened his own equine practice in 1984 and has since become known for his expertise in treating lameness in race and performance horses. He focuses particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans, a subject on which he has co-authored a number of research papers.
