From Doubt to Determination: Kumila Moonoosamy’s Journey to Becoming a Voice for the Voiceless
Long before she set foot in a veterinary clinic, Kumila Moonoosamy had already written the first chapter of her story. At just five years old, growing up on the island of Mauritius, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Her love for animals wasn’t taught — it was instinctive, rooted in compassion and a fascination with the natural world. But as she got older, the road to veterinary medicine seemed to narrow. High school science courses challenged her, and for a time, she let go of the dream, convinced it wasn’t meant for her.
From Honolulu to London: How Deacon Lajala is Navigating Vet School with Gratitude, Grit, and Purpose
Meet Deacon Lajala, a second-year veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College in London, originally from Honolulu, Hawai‘i. In this inspiring Vet Candy feature, Deacon shares his journey from island life to international veterinary school, highlighting his passion for veterinary education, mental wellness, and finding purpose. With values rooted in gratitude, ambition, and authenticity, Deacon opens up about overcoming challenges, making bold decisions, and embracing community both in-person and online. Whether you're a future vet or just looking for motivation, his story is a refreshing reminder of the power of purpose and human connection in veterinary medicine.
NC State Vet Student Dasia Harris is Breaking Barriers in Veterinary Medicine—One Honest Post at a Time
Second-year veterinary student Dasia Harris of NC State College of Veterinary Medicine is using her Southern roots, military experience, and online voice to inspire future veterinarians and make the field more inclusive. Through her leadership, resilience, and authentic storytelling, she’s redefining what success in veterinary medicine looks like.
How Janeece Richardson Is Healing the World with Heart, Curiosity, and Courage
If you ask new grad, Dr. Janeece Richardson, what she’d be doing if she weren’t 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.
Defying Odds: How Vet Student and Mom, Ashley Oppermann, Merges Motherhood with Veterinary Medicine
In Madison, Wisconsin, Ashley Oppermann, a third-year veterinary student at UW-Madison, begins her day much like any other student. But Ashley is not just any student – she is a mother, a wife, and a dreamer who's breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a veterinary student in today's demanding world.
From Milking Cows at 3AM to Belting Show Tunes in Scrubs: How Isabella DiDio Is Changing Vet Med With Heart, Humor, and Jazz Hands
Before donning scrubs at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Isabelle “Bella” DiDio was already performing—whether on stage in over 75 musicals or behind the scenes at 3AM, milking 100 dairy cows as part of the University of Vermont’s elite CREAM program. While most students were still sleeping, she was learning the gritty, real-world lessons that would shape her path in vet med. “I don’t have to get up at 6AM—I get to,” she says with a smile, echoing the advice from her beloved undergrad professor, Dr. Wadsworth, who taught her to lead with gratitude.