Dr. Brady Bergin was born in Kealakekua and raised in the picturesque ranching community of Kamuela on the Big Island of Hawaii. Very early on, animals were a significant part of his upbringing as he accompanied his veterinarian father, Dr. Billy Bergin, on calls assisting in whatever capacity was needed. Dr. Brady’s love for horses was clearly evident when he asked his Dad to haul his horse “Speedy” to school for his kindergarten “Show and Tell.” Spending time on horseback at an early age helped develop his confidence and comfort with horses. He was also an active participant in Keiki (youth) Rodeo and competed locally and nationally through junior high and high school.
After attending Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Dr. Bergin received his Animal Sciences degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University. He was fortunate to then spend the first 2 years of his veterinary career doing an internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Following his internship, Dr. Bergin spent 3 years as an Assistant Professor in Rural Veterinary Medicine (Equine) at Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He also taught a number of other courses including Equine Dentistry, Equine Behavior, and the Equine Production Industry. During his term at OSU, he was recognized with the OSU SCAAEP Teaching Award for outstanding mentorship and dedication to equine students as well as the Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award.
In 2007, Dr. Bergin moved back home to fulfill his dream of opening his own practice Aina Hou Animal Hospital with his father, Dr. Billy Bergin, in his home town of Kamuela, Hawaii. Since 2007, his practice has grown into a successful multi-doctor mixed animal practice today. Dr. Bergin and Aina Hou Animal Hospital have supported the community and cared for horses far beyond their own patients. In addition to hosting annual education seminars for clients, local equine organizations, and school groups, Dr. Bergin, with the help of his staff and numerous volunteers, worked with the Humane Society of the United States as the lead veterinarian and project director to sterilize and re-home over 500 feral donkeys, sparing them from severe drought conditions and proposed lethal eradication. Aina Hou Animal Hospital has also been a dedicated supporter of the Hawaii Island Humane Society by fostering over 20 rescue horses since 2007.
In September of 2013, Dr. Bergin joined the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine as an Associate Clinical Professor and equine practitioner at the West Metro Equine Practice which provides ambulatory equine care in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area. He feels extremely fortunate for the opportunity and the fact that he’s also still able to spend time practicing at Aina Hou Animal Hospital. Dr. Bergin has been published in many journals including the Equine Veterinary Journal, which earned him the Clinical Evidence Literary Award in 2006 [citation].