Sarah Moore, who graduated on May 4 from the Agriculture Science: Pre-Veterinary program at Southern Arkansas University, has been accepted into veterinary school at Oklahoma State University. Though she has a passion for helping animals, her enthusiasm for veterinary science didn’t begin on a farm.
“When I was younger, I loved watching Animal Planet,” said Moore, a native of Bryant, Arkansas. “I’d beg for different pets, and eventually, my mom let me get two cats. Once I got into college, I got a hedgehog. I didn’t get any experience working with livestock until I started my classes.”
She learned of SAU via good word of mouth. “A friend of mine told me that she toured here one day, and I spoke to an SAU recruiter at my high school campus. I asked about the pre-vet program. Then I came here for Preview Day, and I loved it – the small-town feel and the small student-to-teacher ratio felt very much like my high school.”
I’d never felt happy with any other job, but this one just clicked.
Working part-time for Bryant Veterinary Clinic helped Moore solidify her academic and career choice.
“I’d never felt happy with any other job, but this one just clicked,” she said.
At the clinic, Moore interacts with clients and their four-legged patients, and assists the veterinarian with surgeries, x-rays, and exercising the animals.
“It’s good to get that experience before going to veterinary school, because you have to know how to function in a hectic environment,” Moore said.
She’s also learned the challenges of working in a clinic. “I hate seeing an animal in pain, but you have to have that experience,” Moore said. “They look for that in veterinary school.”
Moore credited SAU’s Department of Agriculture with preparing her not only for a career in science but making sure she is a well-rounded student. “They want students to be able to excel at anything,” she said of the professors at SAU.
Dr. David Sanson, associate professor of agriculture, said Moore will be a role model for other students interested in attending veterinary school.
She is an exceptional student and a natural leader, and students like Sarah are a joy to teach
“The fact that she has accomplished this goal will show others that this is possible,” he said. “Sarah never wavered from her dream. It takes dedication and perseverance to succeed in the coursework necessary for admittance into a veterinary school. She is an exceptional student and a natural leader, and students like Sarah are a joy to teach.”
“For the second year in a row, SAU has had a student gain admission into veterinary school. This is a huge accomplishment for these students,” said Copie Moore, associate professor of Agriculture Science.
Moore credited Alpha Sigma Alpha with helping her develop leadership capabilities, serving as the sorority’s president last year. She also served as a member of Wesley Student Ministry.
Extracurricular activities as well as a concentration on classwork show Moore can balance a number of responsibilities while pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
She said she would like to one day own her own business, and feels that SAU has helped prepare her for that goal.
She is the daughter of Danny and Tamara Moore.
