Opening Doors | VOLVet Vision

In 1997, eight high school veterinary interns spent one week of the eight-week session at UTCVM working.

Summer Learning Experiences for Aspiring Veterinarians

A UT College of Veterinary Medicine program that began in 1993 to provide opportunities to high school students to learn about veterinary medicine is now in its 31st year. The Veterinary Summer Experience Program was initiated by CVM Dean Dr. Mike Shires and Dr. Katie High, retired academic vice president of the UT System.

Since its establishment, more than 250 Tennessee high school students have completed the program, which selects students with a veterinary interest, matches them with veterinary practitioners in their area, then brings the students to UT for a week of clinical and other educational activities at the veterinary college.

During her summer internship program, Melady Malone of Memphis, examines a horse under the supervision of veterinary dean, Dr. Mike Shires.

The early program was specifically for African American students. Funding came from the funds resulting from the federal desegregation lawsuit involving Rita Sanders Geier, a Tennessee State University professor who was part of a large class action suit against the state of Tennessee. The so-called consent decree provided funds to develop several programs, scholarships and collaborations with TSU until the final settlement resulted in 2006. Geier, who served as associate to the UT chancellor from 2007-2011, will receive an honorary doctorate of laws from UT in the near future.

After U.S. Supreme Court rulings prohibiting race as a selection criteria, the summer program was offered to any Tennessee high school student. Each year more than 30 applicants compete for the 8-10 positions.

The high school veterinary program selects students from across the state, based on their academic record and essay. Throughout their weeks working in veterinary practices as paid UT employees, students see all aspects of the profession from cage cleaning, surgeries, medical care, and counseling pet owners on treatment options. During their rotations at UTCVM in the final week of the program, they learn about veterinary specialties, spend time in medicine, surgery, pathology, exotic animal, and other rotations. During the week, they learn life skills, and information about admission to veterinary college and other activities.

During the first 15 years of the program, students pursued undergraduate education at a UT campus or elsewhere, in a variety of majors. Some were accepted to veterinary school at UT, Cornell, Tuskegee and other schools. Three of the first summer students to complete the DVM at UTCVM were LaTanya Money (2003), Brandi Bailey (2006), and Brittany Mathes (2012).

The program was initially directed by Dr. Christine Jenkins. After she accepted another position, Dr. Nancy Howell directed the program for several years until Dr. William Hill became director. Upon Dr. Hill’s departure, Dr. Mike Jones assumed directing the program. Dr. ShaRonda Cooper, assistant dean, is now director of the summer program following Jones’ retirement.

Terey Edwards, now in his clinical year at UTCVM, participated as a high school student in the Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP) in 2014. He worked at Southwind Animal Clinic in Memphis, TN. “I had always wanted experience in veterinary medicine; I wanted to be a veterinarian since the age of six. I felt like it was a good way to dip my feet into the veterinary field and that it would look good when applying for vet schools in the future.” During the program, Terey worked for five weeks at Southwind Animal Clinic, then spent one week in Knoxville where he and other VSEP participants shadowed various services in the Veterinary Medical Center and also did a presentation on an interesting case he followed in Memphis. Terey will graduate in 2025.