Dr. Joe Smith with a patient at the University of Tennessee. Submitted Photo

Dr. Joe Smith, a Butler native and assistant professor of farm animal medicine and veterinary clinical pharmacology at the University of Tennessee, recently received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence from the university.

The award recognizes researchers whose innovative studies have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine. Each college can only confer one Zoetis Award per year.

In his four years at the university, Smith has published 58 journal articles. He mainly works with large-animal pharmacology, pain management and clinical problem solving, although he works with all species.

Smith, a 2001 Butler High School graduate, is the son of Bill and Donna Smith of Butler Township.