Welcome to the CVM Family: Meet Alyson Camire

Alyson Camire started riding horses before she could walk.

By the time she was a teenager growing up in Massachusetts she was a skilled competition eventer and ready for her own horse. She bought a thoroughbred chestnut gelding named Brockton Road and they quickly developed a very special bond.

By the end of his career as an event horse, Brock developed suspensory ligament issues and had to retire. As Camire researched the best ways to help her horse recover, she discovered a passion for equine care. She wanted to help other people and their horses through similar challenges.

As an equine veterinary technician at the NC State Equine and Farm Animal Veterinary Center, Camire translates that passion into extraordinary care.

Why did you want to work at NC State?

Horses have always been my passion, and I wanted to work with them at a place where I felt I could really make a difference. At NC State, I provide one-on-one care for each patient, and I really try to develop a bond with each animal. I actively help develop a plan for each patient, which includes watching and caring for them throughout the night shift. Every hour I help give medications, check their vitals and make sure they are doing as well as they can be in the hospital.

What are you most excited about in this role?

I love all the animals that come through NC State’s door, and I love being able to save some of them even more. But that one-on-one contact that I have with the patients is what I enjoy the most about this position. Sometimes patients are here a long time and getting to know that horse and bonding with them and then being able to send them home is really special. When I see patients improve and go home, it really makes my day.

What’s something someone would be surprised to learn about you?

My favorite type of music is from the ’70s and ’80s, even though I look a little young to be into music from that time period. My dad used to play his favorites from the ’70s and ’80s  growing up and I really fell in love with the music, especially Mötley Crüe. They’re my favorite band. 

When you’re not on campus, where could we find you?

I like to walk my dog, Wayler, around Lake Johnson and Lake Lynn. She’s a Rottweiler mix that I adopted from a shelter. Her big smile really blew me away. I also still love trail riding and archery on horseback with Brock and my mom’s trail horse, a chestnut thoroughbred mare named Misty Wells.

My family lives in Wilmington, so we love the beaches. But I also love going to new places and going on picnics. 

Do you have any other pets?

I also have a domestic shorthair cat named Henry. He’s a 7-year-old brown and white tabby that loves to run around the house. I was never really a cat person until I met Henry. He’s crazy and I love him.