From Whiskers to Wisdom: Stories and Advice from UF Vet Students

By Kaitlyn McCormack

Photos provided by UF College of Veterinary Medicine Communications

In 1975 the UF Veterinary Medical Teaching hospital opened on Archer road, becoming the premier veterinary school in Florida. Now, almost 50 years later, the UF College of Veterinary Medicine is ranked No. 5 among veterinary medical colleges nationwide by the U.S. News & World Report, and remains the only veterinary college in the state.

If you’re a UF student, you have likely heard of our veterinary school’s prestigious reputation, even if you are not on a pre-vet track. In 2024, the college had 568 D.V.M., or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students, and over 120,000 animals were treated across their four animal hospital locations in Gainesville and Ocala.

To build such credibility in the world of veterinary medicine, the College does more than just in-patient treatment. UF College of Veterinary Medicine researchers are constantly working to discover new ways to treat our furry friends. In 2023, the College launched their open heart surgery unit for dogs, becoming the first of its kind in the U.S.

Though all of these accolades are vital to understanding the work that the college does, one of the most notable aspects that sets the college apart from other vet schools in the country is the community that is established between staff and students.

“The relationship that the dean's office takes to build with students here is like something I've never experienced before and I've always been grateful for,” said fourth-year vet student Julien Turchiano. “I really have enjoyed and loved all of the relationships that I have made in my experience throughout vet school at UF”

Turchiano, who did his undergraduate degree in animal sciences at UF, wants to specialize in emergency medicine for small and exotic animals. He says he knew he wanted to be a vet since he was a child, and he especially values being able to help give his patients a “voice” in society.

“Our patients can't talk, they can't tell us what's wrong…I always thought it was a really cool opportunity to just be able to help animals and help the voiceless,” Turchiano said.

With the many clinical rotations that vet students go through during their time at the college, they will come across hundreds of different animals of all shapes and sizes. In classic swamp-like fashion, Turchiano recalls one patient that all UF students are very familiar with.

“We got to see a plethora of animals,” he said. “I remember when I was on my large animal rotation, I saw a gator.”

One of Turchiano’s favorite patients, though, was a Great Dane suffering from a condition which significantly impacted his mobility. He said that he treated the dog for two weeks, including working with his colleagues to create a specialized wheelchair for his back-legs.

“Everybody knew that he was my patient in the hospital for those two weeks and everybody loved him because he was just such a good dog,” Turchiano said. “We formed a bond together and I was able to help him improve with all the therapies that we were doing every day.”

There are a multitude of different specializations that vet students can pursue in the college. Emma Lipori, a third-year vet student is interested in theriogenology, a veterinary specialty focused on reproduction, specifically in large animals. After graduation she hopes to continue her research and eventually work for a university for clinical work and teaching.

Lipori did her undergraduate degree at UF as well, she was also an animal science major on a pre-professional track.

Lipori noted how her passion towards this very specific topic did not limit her chances of getting into vet school, in fact, she thinks it’s what helped her the most.

“I just made a conscious decision to do what I love to do instead of trying to check boxes,” Lipori said, “and I know when I filled out my application, it looked like certain things were missing.”

She said that her interview was what mattered the most, and she was really able to display her passion for what she does through conversation with her interviewer. “I think at UF it's different, I think they attempt to do a more personal style interview versus other colleges of veterinary medicine,” she said.

After reflecting on her application, she wouldn’t change a thing. “Even though it didn't look like the prettiest application on Earth, it showed that like I knew what I loved to do…I wasn't just trying to check boxes and fit the mold for veterinary medicine,” she said.

Lipori said one of her favorite aspects of working with animal patients was seeing each individual bond with their owners.

“I've gotten really lucky to have patients with absolutely amazing owners, and I think every single one of them shows me just how much somebody can care about an animal…that was a huge part of why I went into vet med, is because of the human aspect too” she said.

Both Turchiano and Lipori offered similar advice for undergrad gators who are looking to apply to the College of Veterinary Medicine: stay true to your interests.

“Continue your passions,”Turchiano said. “Even if it's something that you might not think vet school's gonna care about, they will.