Rachel Thomason Pursues Dream of Becoming a Large-Animal Veterinarian

Today, Thomason's early morning routines have evolved into summer days filled with veterinary calls, loading supplies, and traveling from farm to farm, often returning home well after dark.

“I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was six years old,” Thomason said. An internship with Black Creek Mobile Vet Service during high school solidified her ambition, providing her an in-depth look at large-animal veterinary medicine, including care for horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens.

Thomason shared that the mobile veterinary team handles a variety of tasks, primarily focusing on preventative care such as vaccinations and wellness exams, but also responding to emergency calls that can extend working hours significantly. “We ate our peanut butter sandwiches on the way to the next appointment,” she recalled, noting that long days could stretch from morning until 8 or 9 at night.

Thomason grew up with her family immersed in agriculture, recalling her youth involved in feeding livestock and livestock judging through Wilson County 4-H. By middle school, she was balancing sheep feed rations, a responsibility not common for her age.

As she prepares to enter her junior year, Thomason is focused on her major in Veterinary Bioscience with minors in Chemistry and Biology, aiming to graduate in December 2027 and then attend veterinary school.

This summer internship, which required her to work outside her comfort zone, has provided valuable experiential learning. Although she was familiar with cattle and sheep, she gained significant knowledge about horse care, underscored by a memorable moment when she analyzed X-rays and identified abnormalities.

“I’ve learned so much about equine care that I never would have known otherwise,” she said, noting the connections between classroom learning and practical applications.

Additionally, Thomason has faced challenging aspects of veterinary medicine, such as guiding pet owners through difficult decisions like euthanasia, reinforcing the notion that veterinary care involves supporting both animals and their owners.

At the university, she has been active beyond academics, working on the Kornegay Student Farm, serving as a Resident Assistant, and holding leadership roles in the Animal Science Club and Ducks Unlimited chapter. Her role as an RA has also equipped her with important conflict resolution skills.

With her sights set on the future, Thomason envisions returning to her roots in eastern North Carolina, aspiring to practice large-animal medicine and eventually establish her own mobile veterinary practice. She hopes to create a network of practices, each serving different counties across the region.

“Home is where my roots are,” Thomason stated. Her involvement in Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, where she participates in worship and service projects, highlights the integration of her faith with her professional aspirations.

Scholarships have further enabled her campus engagement, relieving commuting burdens and allowing her to immerse herself in university life.

With veterinary school on the horizon, Thomason acknowledges there is much work ahead, yet she expresses satisfaction in her current path. “The days can be long, but they go by fast because working with animals is exactly where I want to be.”