Veterinary professionals heal and protect many animals throughout their careers—but at the start of their journey there is often a single animal that motivates them to take this path or to continue down it when challenges arise.

As the 2025 College of Veterinary Medicine Commencement Ceremony nears, the graduating Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students are reflecting on their first patients, inspirations, and motivations that sparked their interest in the veterinary field.

While preparing to apply for veterinary school, Tayna Carrasquillo, DVM Class of 2025, fostered rescue puppies at home in Puerto Rico. Louie Boo was a mixed breed dog with injuries to his hip and leg who found himself, fatefully, in Carrasquillo’s care.

“Though my dream of becoming a veterinarian began long before I met him, it was my prevet journey that ultimately led me to Louie Boo—who strengthened my purpose in pursuing a career in shelter medicine,” says Carrasquillo.

“It took a lot of patience and gentle care to help him heal, physically and emotionally. With time, his true nature began to shine and he became my first ‘foster fail,’” Carrasquillo recalls. “He became a sweet, mellow dog who just wanted to curl up by your side with his warm, trusting eyes.”

Louie’s companionship throughout her undergraduate and DVM studies impressed upon her the importance of her mission as a veterinary professional. “I want to give a voice to the animals who, like him—whether in shelters, on the streets, or in families with limited resources—deserve not only the opportunity of a home, but also the care and compassion of veterinary medicine.”

Young Vasia Murphy, DVM Class of 2025, had a protector like no other—a German Shepherd named King who would supervise her outings when she explored the road past her home as a child. Jack, a Jack Russell and Corgi mix, was a guardian of a different sort. As the family dog he was a “therapist on four legs” and alongside cuddles, he made for a great practice patient as Murphy worked on her physical exam skills in veterinary technician school prior to pursuing her DVM.

“I'm forever thankful for everything that little dog taught me,” says Murphy. Though King and Jack have passed, Murphy says knowing they are watching over her and her future patients brings her great comfort.

Evelina Welch, DVM Class of 2025, grew up with a love of animals and horseback riding passed down from her father. Her passion for riding was inextricably linked with her Quarter Horse gelding, Rio. Welch and Rio were inseparable from middle school onward, and she credits him with helping her on her way into veterinary medicine.

“In high school, even though I loved animals, I had written off vet med as a possible career, thinking I couldn’t handle the ‘blood, guts, and gore,’ explains Welch. “At some point, I was reminded of the many times I had to care for Rio when he either had a hoof abscess, a laceration on his shoulder from a rogue fence post, or any other minor injury that was definitely gross and bloody, and I realized those didn’t bother me at all. He proved to me that I could handle all the things I thought I couldn’t.”

Amid her pre-veterinary studies, Welch had to say goodbye to Rio. Despite the sad parting, Rio’s influence in Welch’s life persisted. Welch moved to Owosso, Mich., on a whim, only to discover in his records that Rio’s birthplace was nearby. Not long after, she received her acceptance to Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

“You could call this many things—coincidence, fate, a happy accident,” says Welch. “But I choose to think it was Rio helping guide me where I was meant to be. Even though I ended up going the small animal route, a sassy little red gelding named Rio will always be my inspiration as I venture forth in my career.”