Our Veterinary Team

Introducing Crossroads Food Animal Veterinary Service, LLC

Crossroads FAVS was established to provide comprehensive veterinary service for farm animals in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

Meet our Team Captain: Dr. Emilie Blough

Emilie J. Blough, DVM started Crossroads Food Animal Veterinary Service, LLC in January of 2012. Dr. Blough is a Goshen, IN native who was raised on her family’s farm (dairy, beef, and crops) near Middlebury. She knew early on in life that she wanted to be a veterinarian, and enjoys the work of her childhood dream job. [The exception is the days of below freezing temperatures, which make the demands of the job a challenge!]

Dr. Blough is a 2007 graduate of Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine, where she focused on studying food animals including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens. After graduation from veterinary school, she attended the Cornell Summer Dairy Institute at the Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine. The 8 week program focused on advanced training for the next generation of dairy focused veterinarians.

Dr. Blough spent 4 years practicing in the tri-state region of East Central New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts before returning to Goshen in October 2011. While the practice in the Northeast focused on serving conventional dairy farms, she also gained experience working with individuals raising pastured pork and poultry, sheep and goat dairies, beef cattle operations, organic, and grazing based operations. In addition to working with cattle professionally, Dr. Blough enjoys spending time working with her own small herd of cattle too.

Dr. Blough considers herself a lifelong learner, who actively pursues continuing education opportunities. Some notable events attended include the following:

New York State Fall Veterinary Conference – Cannabinoids Track Seminar (2018)
AABP Practice Analysis workshop (2017-2018)
American Association of Bovine Practitioners Annual Conference
Goat Artificial Insemination & Breeding Management Short Course, Held at North Carolina State University in 2013
Ohio Dairy Health and Management Certificate Program, 3 year program completed in 2011

Dr. Blough is a graduate of Manchester College (now University) in North Manchester, IN and studied Biology-Chemistry. She played on the Women’s Soccer and Softball Teams at Manchester and continues to enjoy playing and watching sports. Whenever possible, she spends time outdoors and enjoys travel, hiking, music, and helping friends. Dr. Blough is very proud to have been a 10 year 4-H member of Elkhart County, IN. She continues to assist 4-Her’s and helps at several county 4-H and youth fairs. Dr. Blough is a member of Goshen City Church of the Brethren, the Crystal Valley Exchange Club, and an Independent Ambassador with Zilis, a health & wellness company with a full spectrum hemp CBD oil safe for animals.

Professional Affiliations:

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP)
American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP)

Team Members:

Kay Kintigh

Kay Kintigh: Kay has served our area for 23 years as a Postal Worker. Dr. Blough got to experience and appreciate Kay’s excellent customer service when she was working for the Postal Service in Bristol, IN and most recently Middlebury, IN prior to her early retirement last year. She has two grown children and a third one in college. Her husband Dan is recently retired from the Postal Service in New Paris. Kay grew up in rural Pennsylvania and developed a love of animals, especially horses, through her grandparent’s small farm. She was drawn to, and always tried to help, the sick and broken critters and her tenderness with animals comes naturally. Kay now has a small mini farm of her own consisting of both dairy and beef cows, horses, chickens, and of course dogs and cats. She is so thrilled to be able to share the experience of animal(pet) health care. She had always wanted to be a veterinarian, so taking on this position has been part of a dream come true. She shares, “Never give up, it may not be today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring! This is a great opportunity and I am happy to be part of the team.” She is looking forward to meeting new faces, both critters and their owners.

In Memoriam: Candice Targgart, BS, RVT

Candice Targgart, BS, RVT joined the Crossroads team in 2015. She graduated from the veterinary technology program at Purdue University with her AS in 2004 and BS in 2005. After graduation, she began working at Calfcare, a bovine exclusive practice focused on calf and young stock health & management, in North Manchester, IN. During Dr. Blough’s senior vet school off campus rotation at Calfcare, Candice and Dr. Blough developed a professional rapport that would form Dr. Blough’s gold-standard for a vet & vet-tech dream work partnership. In 2015, the two reconnected while providing their professional services in several research study projects, which became a catalyst for bringing the dream to reality.

Candice was a multi-talented lady. Dr. Blough referred to her as her “right hand everything”. Candice’s dedication to agriculture, the veterinary profession, her meticulously attentive nature, and gift with animals was evident in all she did. Candice was called home to be with Jesus after a short, courageous battle with a rare cancer tumor called Rhabdomyosarcoma in March of 2017. Her presence is greatly missed by many as she was a friend to all she met.

Candice is survived by her husband, Travis and their sons, Layne and Brock. She was recognized as the 2018 Distinguished Veterinary Technology Alumna Award winner posthumously by Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in September of 2018.

Team Mascot: Anna

Anna is a Holstein cow that was born on May 15, 2009. Anna got a broken leg not long after she entered this world, and was given to Dr. Blough as a 1 day old calf. The photo above is actually of Molly, one of Dr. Blough’s other cows, who also was given to her with a broken leg needing repair. Anna and Molly both received a fiberglass cast to stabilize their broken bone(s), and their legs healed very well.

Anna has calved five times. The first calf she raised was named Noel, her second calf was Arthur, her third pregnancy was a set of TWINS named Aiden and Abby, and her fourth calf was Addy. Anna has just recently calved her fifth, Eddy. Anna has been a friendly companion to many humans and animals through the years and continues to be a lovable pet cow.