In 1968, Dr. Norman Swanson, or "Doc" as most know him, received a call asking if he could fill in as a vet for Frontier Days. He thought about it for a few days and thought, "I go anyway for fun and frolic, I may as well do something constructive!" And so began his forty-four year tenure as arena veterinarian. Dan Taylor, the Chute 9 boss, got along really well with Doc Swanson and wanted to keep him on as a vet, due to his insight and understanding of the sport of rodeo and the animals. During his time with Cheyenne Frontier Days, he participated in over 400 rodeos and countless slacks. As arena veterinarian, he coordinated with the General Committee, the Contestants Chairman, PRCA judges and stock contractors to oversee the health and care of all livestock on-site during the event. Doc Swanson grew up in Longmont, Colorado, where his family ran cattle. He loved to show cattle at different events, and as a young boy hung out at the local rodeo arena. "I've always been a nut for rodeo," he said. He earned his veterinarian degree from Colorado State University and he practiced in Torrington, Wyoming for several years. He became the Wyoming State Veterinarian in 1968 and served in this capacity for "23 years, one month, three days and twenty minutes.. Approximately."


Doc Swanson has been an active member of the Contestants Committee for more than forty years and a HEEL since 1970, volunteering his time to ensure the animals at Cheyenne were taken care of during their stay and to provide immediate medical attention if needed. When asked about the significance of Cheyenne Frontier Days to him, he said," I don't know how you describe it. You get involved with all these good people and you just want to come back. It's a good disease." Doc was instrumental with the animals' welfare program as well as implementing the animal ambulance. In 2011, Doc Swanson was one of the five finalists chosen for the 2011 "PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award," presented by Purina. This award was created to recognize the dedication to the health and welfare of rodeo
livestock.

Over the course of Doc's career he was president of the Wyoming Veterinarian Association and of the Western State Livestock Officials, along with many other
vet organizations.

Doc Swanson always showed outstanding dedication during the event. He was always on the spot and well prepared, if any injury occurred. His days always starting early in the morning checking on the stock and not ending until late in
afternoon after the rodeo had ended to again check on the animals, including barn calls on contestants' horses. Once in a while, he would take an injured animal home and watch it get back to soundness. "That's the fun part - they all have a personality. It's always fun to watch them come along so well," Doc said.