Claude graduated from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. Going west he entered practice at the Southwest Equine Hospital of Scottsdale Arizona where he stayed for 2 years. His equine surgical residency was completed at the University of California, Davis in 1988. Claude immediately began surgical practice at the Pioneer Equine Hospital of Oakdale California. In 1989 he became board certified in veterinary surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the same year became a Diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Equine Practice, recertifying the later credentials in 1999 and 2010. After fours years in private surgical practice Claude began his academic career at Washington State University in 1992, where he is a fully tenured faculty member. He has very broad interest and expertise in surgical conditions of the horse. Claude has published over 75 peer-reviewed papers, 21 book chapters, and edited the 2012 book, ‘Advances in Equine Laparoscopy’. Claude enjoys educational sharing and has presented at over 70 professional meetings and operates the Equine Clinicians Network (ECN).