Brett Casna: VMCVM Alumnus and Founder of Granite VETS

Casna takes pride in being a VMCVM alumnus, noting the immediate connection he feels with fellow alumni regardless of where he is in the country. He emphasized the camaraderie and shared pride among Hokie graduates.

One of the best pieces of advice he received is to be honest about one’s limitations while also recognizing that these do not need to be permanent barriers to success. If captured in a newspaper headline, Casna would describe his work as "Advancing Veterinary Surgery One Day At A Time."

He possesses a hidden talent for performing accents and impressions, and finds inspiration from successful business owners in the veterinary field, recognizing the challenges of running a business.

Reflecting on unexpected lessons from college, Casna expressed gratitude for attending small animal lectures, which proved beneficial after he shifted his focus from large to small animal medicine. He highlighted a common misconception in his field regarding Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgeries; many clients mistakenly believe it equates to knee replacement for their dogs.

He advises current veterinary students to embrace changing interests and paths without feeling pressured to conform to a specific route, emphasizing that opportunities in the field are abundant.

Among his fondest memories from college are gatherings with classmates for post-exam celebrations. Casna considers the opportunity to have had great mentors essential to his development, and he now looks forward to mentoring the next generation.

On his bucket list, he hopes to play golf at the Old Course in St. Andrews. He cherishes the quote, "There is no shame in failure, only in quitting," which resonates with his personal philosophy. For him, being a VMCVM alumnus means being ready to help others whenever possible.

At home, Casna shares his life with two one-year-old German shorthaired pointers, Basil and Beni, who are developing their skills as bird dogs and are on track to earn their Junior Hunter titles this fall. He also has Reinsman, a 27-year-old Morgan gelding, and Mimi, a 20-year-old pony that supports his daughter’s riding journey.