Dr. Kersting is a native of St. Louis and completed his Bachelors Degree in Biology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the University of Missouri-Columbia. He graduated from the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. During his veterinary studies, he completed externships in exotic pet and zoo medicine, including one with Dr. Fred Soifer, a staff veterinarian for the Houston Zoo and one of the best avian veterinarians in the country. After graduating, Dr. Kersting opened Bird Medicine and Surgery, the only full-service avian and exotic veterinary clinic in the St. Louis area. Dr. Kersting became the staff veterinarian for the Purina Mills Research Farm and managed a flock of 1000 finches, canaries and parrots. While at Purina, Dr. Kersting was involved with nutritional research that led to the production of the first pellet diet for pet birds called Purina Mini Friends. Continued research over the next three years led to the development of the Mazuri line of avian diets for zoo birds and is still available today.
In 1994, Dr. Kersting and his wife, Dot, moved Bird Medicine and Surgery to its current location in Chesterfield. They opened Kersting Veterinary Hospital, a full service veterinary hospital for dogs and cats. In 2008, the clinic was expanded and renovated and now offers full service grooming and boarding for dogs, cats and birds.
Dr. Kersting also serves as the staff veterinarian for the bird collection at Anheuser Busch Grants Farm and as staff veterinarian for Missouri Botanical Gardens Butterfly House in Faust Park. He lectures on avian medicine to the veterinary technician students at Sanford-Brown College and Hickey College in St. Louis and Jefferson College in Hillsboro. Dr Kersting also offers a Hospital Externship Program in avian medicine and surgery for high school students, pre-veterinary college students and veterinary students. Dr. Kersting has worked with the Pekin Duck Fund, Wildlife Rescue Center, and Wild Bird rehabilitation. In addition to the 24-hour on call service he offers for birds and exotic pets, he consults with local emergency clinics on bird emergencies and has been involved with the Humane Society of Missouri assisting in bird seizure and rescue cases.
Dr. Kersting has been a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) since 1986 and attends their annual conference. This is an intensive 5 day program of classroom work, panel discussions, master classes and laboratory work to receive the latest medical and surgical advances in avian medicine. Dr. Kersting believes his knowledge and expertise has tremendously benefited from this annual seminar. He has also been honored to be a presenter of original research at the annual AAV meeting.
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