May 2025

Many future veterinarians embrace their calling at a young age, and Melanie Narvaez was definitely one of them. However, it wasn’t until she worked at a veterinary clinic as an undergraduate that she knew she…
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After high school, Kristine Witte wanted to continue her education but wasn’t sure what field was right for her. So, she decided to attend cosmetology school. While working as a professional hairstylist, she began volunteering…
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It Runs in the Family Hannah Streams grew up on a small hobby farm in New Mexico surrounded by animals. Propped on a hill, Streams would watch as her dad pulled up the driveway. She…
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From the Classroom to the Aquarium As she prepares to graduate, Dorothy Echols sees her years as a University of Illinois veterinary student as a time when she grew her passion for caring for a…
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When Brianna Huff was younger, she had a pet chinchilla, Cuddles, that faced numerous health issues. While accompanying Cuddles to a series of veterinarians for help, Huff developed an interest in non-traditional species that has…
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While Emily Verwers always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian, deciding to do so at her dad’s alma mater and attend the University of Illinois shaped her experiences and future career. From Childhood Interest…
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Growing up on a farm provided Alaina Lamp with experiences that sparked her interest in veterinary medicine. On many occasions, she saw goats and horses die because a medical professional could not make it to…
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