Aggie Veterinary Student Prepares To Begin ‘Dream Career’ At Mixed Animal Practice

By Ainsley Treesh, VMBS Marketing & Communications

Marco Rivera, a fourth-year veterinary student, didn’t always know he wanted to be a veterinarian.

Although Rivera had always loved working with animals, it wasn’t until he was pursuing his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University that he decided to turn his passion into a career.

Rivera faced challenges on his way to becoming a veterinarian, but with the support of friends, family, and professors, he is one step closer to fulfilling his dream.

When It All Clicked

Rivera grew up in McAllen, Texas, where animals were always a major part of his life.

“I have an FFA background and I raised pigs for 10 years,” Rivera said. “Toward my junior year of high school, I started wanting to learn more about them. I would think, ‘Why is their anatomy this way?’ or ‘Why are we treating this coughing pig with this medicine?’ That’s where I’d say it all started.”

When Rivera decided to attend Texas A&M for his undergraduate degree, a major in animal science seemed like the natural choice.

“I didn’t find my drive for veterinary medicine until I started my undergrad,” Rivera said. “My animal science major was awesome. Then I started putting the pieces together and realized I could have a career in the veterinary field, but I had no clue where to start.”

With help from his professors, Rivera completed the courses required for veterinary school and gained ample shadowing hours at Sunset Canyon Veterinary Clinic in Dripping Springs, Texas.

“I started shadowing there during the summer to gain more hours and experience,” Rivera said. “That’s when I really found my love for veterinary medicine. I love the complexity of it, but most importantly, I really loved building relationships with clients.”

Resilience In Rejection

When deciding where to attend veterinary school, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) was the natural choice for Rivera.

 

“A&M has always been the goal,” Rivera said. “Every veterinarian I’ve worked for has been an Aggie vet. After going through my undergrad here and being engulfed in all the traditions, I knew that being part of Texas A&M for another four years would really mean a lot.”

However, Rivera’s dreams didn’t come without challenges. The first time he applied for the VMBS’ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, Rivera wasn’t accepted.

“I applied early and got an interview, but I wasn’t admitted,” Rivera said. “That rejection letter stung. It was humbling in the moment, and I remember talking to my mom, who said, ‘It’s hard now, but you have to figure out what you can do better for next time.’ My family and mentors encouraged me to not give up and continue working toward my dream.

“To improve my second application, I really focused on what I considered were the weaker points in my application and found ways to make myself stand out more,” he said. “Ultimately, what kept me going was the goal of wanting to be a veterinarian.”

The extra months spent gaining more experience and refining his application paid off when Rivera received his acceptance.

“When I read the first word of the email and saw ‘Congratulations,’ my jaw dropped,” Rivera said. “I was ecstatic and in shock. It was awesome to see the hard work I put in throughout the years pay off.”

Gaining Knowledge And Friendships

Rivera’s first day of class at the VMBS is one he will never forget.

“The first day was surreal,” Rivera said. “I remember showing up really early and sitting in my classroom thinking that, while I wasn’t there yet, I was on the right track to reach my goal of becoming a veterinarian, and that felt awesome.”
 

In his first three years, Rivera spent countless hours learning the rigorous curriculum. As he began externships, the knowledge he had gained from his coursework helped him feel prepared for the experiences.

“The way our curriculum is structured, especially with its focus on communication, has really helped me when interacting with clients,” Rivera said. “I can have a broad conversation with an owner and know how to pick out the important details of the pet’s history that will help me figure out my next step.

“At some externships, I was sent into a room with a client and told to complete the appointment from start to finish,” Rivera said. “Thanks to my DVM classes, I felt prepared in those moments.”

While Rivera has gained an immense amount of knowledge, he also has found valuable friendships. Through the highs and lows of vet school, his peers have become more than just classmates.

“I know that I’ll always be able to give them a call if I’ve had a rough day or I have a question on a difficult case,” Rivera said. “This program has really brought me close to people who I know will always be just a phone call away.”

Coming Full Circle

Following graduation in May, Rivera will begin his veterinary career at Sunset Canyon Veterinary Clinic. As a veterinarian at a mixed animal clinic, Rivera will work with all kinds of animals, including cats, dogs, horses, and cows.

“I love mixed animal practice because you never know what’s going to come through the door,” Rivera said. “At one of my mixed animal externships, we even had a kangaroo with a laceration come in and I remember thinking, ‘This is why I am doing mixed animal medicine.’”

Rivera is eager to begin his veterinary career at the clinic where it all began for him.

“It’s where I spent all of my shadowing hours when I was an undergrad, and they have become like a family to me,” Rivera said. “The veterinarians at the clinic are all in different stages in their careers. I am excited to hopefully bring some new things I have learned but also to be a sponge and absorb as much from them as I can.”

 

The original story by Ainsley Treesh appeared on VMBS News