How Janeece Richardson Is Healing the World with Heart, Curiosity, and Courage

If you ask 4th year vet student, Janeece Richardson, what she’d be doing if she weren’t on a path to become a veterinarian, her answer reveals as much about her spirit as it does her skill: she’d be capturing emotion through a camera lens or creating joy on a plate. A natural storyteller and nurturer, Janeece has always been drawn to making others feel seen, heard, and cared for—whether that’s through the comforting aroma of a homemade dish or the quiet magic of a perfectly timed photograph.

Now, as a soon to be DVM and one of Vet Candy’s 2025 Rising Stars, Dr. Richardson channels that same empathy and creativity into her work with animals and the people who love them.

“Applying to vet school was the easiest decision I ever made,” she says. “It was never a question—I knew this path was the fullest expression of who I am.”

That path wasn’t always smooth. It took resilience, empathy, and adaptability—the very qualities Janeece credits for getting her to this moment. From navigating long hours in emergency rooms to adjusting research protocols on the fly, she's learned to pivot without losing her purpose.

Her journey also demanded tough choices. One of the most agonizing was stepping away from a role she had worked hard to achieve—a decision rooted not in failure but in self-awareness. “It didn’t align with my values or support my mental health. Leaving felt like quitting, but it was actually growth. I learned that protecting your peace is a strength, not a weakness.”

That insight, and so many others, stems from advice she carries close: “Never lose your curiosity—it’s your most powerful diagnostic tool.” It’s a mantra that keeps her humble, hungry to learn, and always willing to ask the hard questions.

Born with a heart full of compassion, Janeece envisions a world where empathy is the norm—in how we treat animals, the environment, and each other. And she believes change begins with the small things: choosing kindness, listening deeply, and making thoughtful choices—like adopting instead of shopping, or cooking a meal for someone just because.

Speaking of food, she says everyone should try making a meal from scratch for someone they care about. “It’s such a simple way to connect. It reminds you that small gestures can carry big love.”

She credits her parents and her mentor, Critter Fixer’s, Dr. Terrence Ferguson, with shaping her values and giving her the blueprint for compassionate leadership. “My parents taught me resilience and kindness. Dr. Ferguson showed me how to lead with humility, how to serve others, and how to stay passionate even when the work gets hard.”

And to her younger self—and perhaps to anyone walking a similar path—Dr. Richardson offers this advice: “You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Give yourself permission to grow, to rest, and to trust your instincts. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence.”

From veterinary medicine to visionary empathy, Janeece Richardson is redefining what it means to care—for animals, for people, and for the world.