From Animal Science to Veterinarian

Dr. Stetson Lanier

Cameron 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

requirements,” he says. “The chemistry classes are the ones in which I learned to study differently, which greatly improved my study habits in veterinary school.”

Although attending Cameron for his undergraduate degree was an obvious choice due to its proximity to his hometown of Ringling, allowing him the ability to continue to work on a ranch while in school, Lanier had other reasons as well.

“I also chose Cameron because it was small enough that it had a close-knit, family-type feel. I was able to meet people from all over the world in my agriculture classes and that was a great feeling. While I was at veterinary school in the Caribbean, I actually ran into a former classmate that was from St. Kitts in the grocery store. Talk about a small world!”

Lanier has extremely fond memories of his time as a Cameron Aggie, including his participation in the Aggie Club.

“The Aggie Club was the absolute best choice that I ever made at Cameron,” he says. “I was able to experience many great memories doing community outreach with the club.”

He also recalls a particularly memorable class which involved a trail ride and overnight campout in western Oklahoma.

“We were in tents that night and woke up to it snowing,” he says. “It was so cold! I often look back on those memories and the fun that I had riding horseback through so much open country.”

I had learned how to use different study techniques at Cameron which allowed me to be flexible and adaptable.

Lanier says he was fortunate to learn from Cameron’s outstanding faculty.

“I was lucky to have two of the greatest mentors while I was in the agriculture program,” he says. “Dr. Leon Fischer and Mrs. Brenda Sweeney laid the foundation for my college career and were always huge advocates for me to pursue further education. Anytime that I had questions, they were more than willing to make time and personally sit down with me to talk. By writing reference letters, they were essential in my ability to go on to veterinary school.”

- Janet E. Williams

Dr. Stetson Lanier believes in providing the best care for his patients, whether they are dogs, cats, burros or other species needing treatment.