Toshitsugu Ishihara brings a global perspective to the veterinary college anesthesiology team

As the newest faculty member of anesthesiology, in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Toshitsugu Ishihara brings a decade of clinical experience from Japan and a passion for advancing animal care to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.

Ishihara, who goes by "Toshi," earned his six-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Tottori University in Japan in 2012. He recently completed his Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University, where he also served as a resident in comparative anesthesiology.

Ishihara's journey to specialization followed a decade of diverse clinical experience in Japan, including considerable time in emergency medicine. "I worked in Japan for about 10 years," Ishihara said. "I worked in general practice five days, then in emergency one to two days a week."

This demanding schedule, while challenging, provided invaluable experience. "It's hard; we had to work well into the night," Ishihara recalled. He often worked 24-hour shifts, seeing a wide range of critical cases that helped hone his clinical skills.

Pull toward specialization

While the fast-paced environment of emergency medicine appealed to Ishihara, he felt a pull towards further specialization. "I thought I should do something more advanced," he said. This desire for advancement and an interest in pain management and anesthesia techniques led him to seek opportunities beyond general practice and emergency care.

"I wanted to learn about pain control and to work with a wider variety of animals,” Ishihara said. “I wanted to learn more about large animals like goats, pigs, and horses." 

This pursuit of specialized knowledge and broader experience led Ishihara to the anesthesiology residency at Auburn University. 

Strong recommendations from his mentors influenced his decision to join the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. 

"Everyone, all my mentors, convinced me to come here because it's good," he said. "I wanted to have a great place for my family as well. I wanted to have a great environment."

Teaching and clinical responsibilities

At the veterinary college, Ishihara will divide his time between clinical service, teaching, and research. He will work primarily at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg, with regular rotations at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke.

"My first primary responsibility is on the clinical side, and I will also teach the students," Ishihara explained. "I am looking forward to giving my first lectures to second-year veterinary students in a few weeks."

A commitment to animal welfare

Throughout his career, Ishihara has maintained a solid commitment to animal welfare. He has volunteered at spay and neuter clinics and animal shelters, even while managing a demanding professional schedule.

"I'm not just interested in medicine. I just like animals," Ishihara said. "That's why I wanted to protect my heart for animals. Sometimes, we forget why we became vets. So, occasionally, I try to go to shelters or try to help the spay and neuter clinics to maintain my heart."

This dedication to animal welfare extends beyond his volunteer work. While Ishihara currently does not have pets, he is considering adopting horses or goats. "My kids are very excited about the opportunity of riding horses."

Looking to the future

Ishihara is enthusiastic about the opportunities at the veterinary college, particularly the chance to expand his experience with large animals and contribute to innovative research.

"I'm eager to see what's going to happen in my next stage," Ishihara said. "I'm looking forward to growing and discovering what I can accomplish in the next few years."

While Ishihara acknowledges that his work has been his primary focus, he is keen on exploring new hobbies in Virginia. "Last week, my wife and I enjoyed some tennis," he shared. "We also had a great time going swimming."

The move to Virginia brings new experiences for his family as well. His children, aged 11 and 6, are particularly thrilled about the change in climate from their previous home in Alabama. "My kids can't wait to see and play in the snow," he said.