Taking knowledge and putting it into practice to help animals and people—that’s what being a veterinary professional is all about. If you could distill the moment knowledge is transmuted into practical applications, you would have the White Coat Ceremony, and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Veterinary Nursing students’ first day in clinics.

The moment they are coated during the ceremony, each student transitions from a didactic learner into someone who will put all they learned to the test in a clinical setting under supervision of Veterinary Medical Center faculty. In the Hospital, clinical students observe and assist with specialty care. In the case of DVM students, they will get to help create diagnostic and treatment plans that are reviewed by attending veterinarians.

As Mirelle Syrja, DVM student and president of the class of 2026, said in her speech at the White Coat Ceremony, “It’s not graduation, but it’s a pretty big deal!”

“I feel nervous but prepared,” says Syrja. “We have a strong base of knowledge and skills from our didactic studies. Now, through application, we further this within the clinical setting. Veterinary medicine is one wild ride, and I am loving and embracing every moment.”

“I'm very excited but am feeling nervous since it seems to be coming soon. I'm definitely fortunate to have a program that offers so many opportunities to learn and grow in the veterinary field beyond general practice training,” says Sydnee Pierce, Veterinary Nursing student.

“I am having a tornado of emotions ranging from eager and excited to scared and anxious. After years of classroom learning, honing our skills in practice labs, and playing doctor in fake patient scenarios, we will be acting as junior doctors. It is time for us to make decisions that can affect the lives of both animals and humans. We have learned so much during our time here, I only hope that we can make ourselves and our school proud,” adds Christina Eliades, DVM student of the class of 2025.

“In those three weeks that you’re going to be on a clerkship, imagine that’s what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. For example, I was a large-animal-focused student, so for me, small animal orthopedic surgery was scary. But if you believe ‘I’ve got to get everything out of this,’ that’s one of those pieces of advice that will take you far in your clinical years," says Dr. Julie Strachota, director of clinical education and assistant professor in large animal clinical sciences, in an episode of the College’s podcast, Dogtors Without Borders.

"Because you never know, this is one of those professions where your degree can do so much. Maybe one day I’ll be a small animal orthopedic surgeon! I did not know I was going to do theriogenology, did not take a theriogenology clerkship when I was in school and here I am teaching it."

“What I'm most looking forward to in the clinical portion of my education is my study abroad program in South Africa. I am excited to be traveling with three other veterinary nurses to care for exotic animals!” says Pierce.

“I am really looking forward to working on real medical cases and seeing how the amazing doctors we will be partnered with handle them,” says Eliades.

“I am particularly eager to get started on my externships where I will have the opportunity to work with exotic animals, since we don’t really have the opportunity to do so during the first couple years of veterinary school. I’m excited to learn from the best and expand my knowledge and skillsets in all areas of veterinary medicine.”

Missed the ceremony? Watch the live stream recording below: