VMCVM Student Spotlight: Gin Carter '02
Gin Carter '02
Degree: DVM Class of 2025
Hometown: Moneta, Virginia
My undergraduate was in…
Fisheries Science
Best part of being a VMCVM student…
All the hands-on learning. Anytime we get to work directly with animals and/or their humans, I just love it!
The moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian/public health professional was…
Well, I knew when I was about 2 years old, as I grew up on a horse farm and had all sorts of animals. My parents love animals too and they were so great about giving me opportunities to have and learn about as many animals as I could. I always loved going to zoos and aquaria and even without me saying so, most people in my life just assumed I was going to be a vet. But then when I got to college as an undergrad I thought I didn't want to be in school for so long (a funny thought now!) and I was really focused on fish then so I went a different route for a very long time. I lived in Hawaii and was a marine biologist for the Smithsonian for over a decade, taught yoga and therapeutic horseback riding lessons, did Hawaiian bodywork, and was a DJ. Life twists and turns though, and I am happy to be back to pursuing my childhood dream now!
My hidden talent...
Handstands.
A person who has inspired me...
My partner, Taj. He's the most resilient person I have ever known.
Biggest misconception about being a veterinarian/public health student…
That vet school is like "normal" college. It's so different from undergrad or even grad school.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
Totally not your typical superpower, but I'd have to pick something like the ability to clean up the environment with a wave of my hand. I used to work in conservation and I have environmental anxiety so I worry about the state of our planet all the time. I would love to be able to just fix it all.
My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song...
Two Step by Dave Matthews Band (I'm old!)
The course project/study you're most excited about…
I'm really excited about two of my externals. I have one with the Honolulu Zoo which I know will be amazing. I have another with a mixed practice in Bend, Oregon that mostly sees horses, but also dogs, cats, and small ruminants. I want to have a mixed practice and see anything as long as it is a pet–no food animals–and this practice seems like exactly the type of practice I would like to have.
What excites me the most about the future of my industry...
The possibilities! I always like to do a bunch of different things in my life and it's amazing how much we can do with a career in veterinary medicine. Last semester I took Dr. Savage's Veterinary Careers and Pathways class and it was so fun to see how many different things we can do as vets.
Favorite way to end the day...
Snuggled up with my partner reading a book that has nothing to do with veterinary medicine.
Top of my bucket list...
Volunteering in Botswana or Namibia.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Dusti, my Australian Shepherd is almost 10 years old and still acts like he's 3. He loves everyone and likes to show people that he can do the hula because he was born on Maui, that is he wiggles his butt until he falls down and asks for belly rubs. Dusti has a cat named Cilantro who is a half Maine Coon. He's huge–20 lbs and not fat at all. Then I have another cat named Squeak who adopted us after my neighbors got divorced and left him outside to fend for himself. He's quite plump and very happy to live with us now. I also have two quarter horses that live on my family farm. Nova is going to be 30 this year. He was born on our farm and I trained him when he was young. He's very sweet. And then Fred is my younger horse who I share with my mom. He's probably the silliest, friendliest horse I have ever known. He keeps track of all the neighbors and their daily walks and always goes to say hi to everyone. He likes to help my dad if he's building things. And he's just a delight to ride. If he doesn't know what my mom wants him to do, he just stops, which is lovey. Also, every time he drinks water, he sticks his tongue out for a little while after like a total goober. My mom also has Nova's sister, Windee. Fred and Nova are not related, but they look like they are. At first glance, the only difference is Nova's blaze kicks to the right at the top and Fred's kicks to the left.
