From Animal Science to Veterinarian: Dr. Stetson Lanier
C
ameron alumnus Stetson Lanier is one of many Aggies who earned a degree in agriculture with a concentration in animal science at CU and then pursued a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Lanier, a native of Ringling, earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where he completed the three-year non-clinical program and then completed his clinical year at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is now a practicing veterinarian at VCA Saginaw Animal Hospital in Saginaw, Texas. For many college students who are planning on attending veterinary school, the decision about what type of undergraduate degree to obtain usually comes down to two options: animal science or biology. Lanier opted for the former, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 2015. “Veterinary school is based around animals,” he says. “Agriculture is based around animals. I feel that being in the agriculture program affords students that have never been around farm animals the opportunity to see and work with them. I could easily tell the students in vet school that had biology degrees versus animal science degrees.” Lanier says that he feels the quality of education he received at Cameron paved the way for success in vet school. “I had no doubt that my upper level classes taught me how to study efficiently and properly,” he says. “It was a lot different in veterinary school, but I had learned how to use different study techniques at Cameron which allowed me to be flexible and adaptable. As a Cameron student, I was able to be certified in bovine artificial insemination, thanks to the agriculture program. That played a huge role during veterinary school.” He also feels that his chemistry minor played a significant role as a veterinary student. “I feel like I was able to grasp and comprehend some of the chemical and biochemical concepts more easily than other students in my class that just had the bare minimum chemistry 12
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
