The club had the privilege of listening to Dr. Layne Brett speak on her experience as a veterinarian that is an alum of the University of Central Arkansas. Brett explains that anyone who wants to pursue veterinary medicine can as she studied home economics in high school and spent her first year and a half of undergrad as a physical education major. After spending time working under veterinarians, Brett got to assist in pulling a calf from a laboring cow and save its life. She labels this as the moment that ignited her passion for this discipline.
Dr. Brett provided very thorough and helpful advice for pre-veterinary students. She emphasizes the importance of working directly under a veterinarian to gain experience before veterinary school. Brett also highlights the value of earning a full bachelors degree rather than only taking prerequisites for veterinary school to have a wider range of options and become a more well rounded individual. She strongly encourages students to "never stop evolving as a person".
One key takeaway from Dr. Brett's presentation is the perseverance and determination she displayed as a women pursuing veterinary medicine during a time in which the field was dominated by men. She explains that she faced challenges as professors discouraged her from taking on science and was doubted because of her gender in a vet school interview. Even as a veterinary student, she combated adversity when her supervisors threatened her continuation in the program when deciding to have a child during school. Dr. Brett is a beacon of female empowerment in this field and serves to inspire anyone and everyone interested in becoming a veterinarian.
