A male veterinary student working with a black cow in a cattle chute smiles at the mentor veterinarian he's working with.

A Formula For Success

Rural Scholars Take North Carolina’s Livestock Veterinarian Shortage by the Horns (and Hooves)

An NC State College of Veterinary Medicine program debuting this summer pairs vet students with livestock veterinarians in rural areas of North Carolina to build students’ skills, create connections and address a statewide care deficit.

A group of five people sit around a circular table in a classroom, smiling at each other.

Following the Threads: 5 Things To Know About NC State’s New Veterinary Curriculum

Starting with the Class of 2028, DVM students at the College of Veterinary Medicine are learning within a redesigned curriculum that emphasizes graduating Day One-ready veterinarians.

Anatomy of an Exceptional and Life-Changing Professor

Occipital, parietal, temporal are words the first-year veterinary students will hear a lot over the next three hours as they examine the animal skulls on the lab tables in front of them, but first their anatomy professor offers these: “massive transition,” “right on track,” “very OK.” The possibly disappointing results of the first big test…

From the Dean

In this issue of the Oath, we are emphasizing “Trainee-centered learning: Lead in preparing adaptable, career-ready professionals,” one of the goals of our new strategic plan. A unique strength of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine has always been that our college prepares students for the breadth of careers in which veterinarians are needed.…

Sheats Appointed to New Role: Associate Dean and Director of Professional Education and Admissions

Dr. Katie Sheats, associate professor of equine primary care, has been chosen as the new associate dean and director of professional education and admissions at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. Sheats, who received her DVM at NC State in 2005 and became part of the faculty in 2014, was instrumental in the development…

Large animal vet Dr. Jan Hawkins leans against a wall in a hospital hallway with his hands in his pockets.

Two-time NC State Alum Returns to Lead Department of Clinical Sciences

Dr. Jan Hawkins found his career specialization — and his future wife — while attending the College of Veterinary Medicine, and he now hopes to guide faculty and trainees toward their goals.

NC State Welcomes Alum as New Leader of Department of Population Health and Pathobiology

Dr. Kaori Sakamoto’s successful career in pathology was the direct result of mentorship she received at NC State, she says, and she’s eagerly anticipating getting to pay that forward.

Dr. Raul Bras explains how to find a horse's navicular bone inside its hoof.

Hoofin’ It: NC State Students Get World’s Finest Farrier Expertise

The trainees in Dr. Raul Bras’ farriery selective learn how important hooves are to horse health before heading out to build relationships with local partners.

Dr. Caitlyn Redding Horne, left, and Jess and Doug Payne

NC State Equine Program Helps Olympic-Caliber Horse Get Back His Jumping JuJu

How Quincy the show jumping horse severely injured his leg while being transported around Ocala, Florida, during a $100,000 Grand Prix event in spring 2023 remains a mystery. It’s clear, however, how he recovered enough to compete and remarkably place fourth in the same event in 2024. His owners, Doug and Jess Payne of Rougemont,…

NC State’s Dual DVM/Ph.D. Program Ups the Ante on Life-Changing Research

For Victor Rivas, Aoi Nakanishi-Hester and other research-minded students, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s DVM/Ph.D. program, which provides the opportunity to combine a doctor of veterinary medicine degree with a Ph.D., is an undeniable example of the college’s world-class caliber. NC State’s veterinary college is one of only five or six in the…

From the Field

Students at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine have access to all kinds of internships, externships and research experiences during their four years of school. This summer, six students shared some of what they were doing and learning in real time. Caitlyn Coleman and Shafarah Dixon, Class of 2025; Meghan Chung, Hannah Dion and…

Cows at the new dairy barn on the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Campus.

State-of-the-Art Dairy Barn a Cool Addition to NC State Veterinary Campus

Inside the new dairy barn on the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine campus, creature comforts include 15 industrial-size fans that knock 20 degrees off the suffocating summer heat and sprinklers that sporadically mist the milk makers as they munch alfalfa. The cows clearly are content with their new digs, and Dr. Allison West, clinical…

A male veterinary student smiles at two of his mentors, who are looking at slides in a pathology lab.

Equine Colic, Coastal Microplastics and So Much More: Summer Research Program Sees Record Participation and New Projects

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Scholars Program offers DVM students with little lab experience a paid opportunity to pursue their research interests under faculty mentorship.

A red wolf puppy born at NC State over Mother's Day Weekend.

Howlelujah! Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Join NC State’s Pack

The College of Veterinary Medicine community is euphoric that the two female and one male pup thrived during their first week, gaining weight and showing no signs of abnormalities.

House Officer Highlights

Meet the our NC State Veterinary Hospital house officers and see how they’re bringing their skills and passion to our college to provide world-class care for our patients.