Class of 2024: Ashtyn Dunn’s path to vet school is rooted in family, agriculture, and a passion for animals
With help from scholarships, Dunn was able to study abroad, perform veterinary research, and be a highly involved student.
Name: Ashtyn Dunn
College: Agriculture and Life Sciences
Major: Animal and poultry sciences
Hometown: Emporia, Virginia
What are your plans after graduation?
I’ve applied to vet schools and hope to begin that journey this fall. I’m passionate about large animal medicine and aim to serve rural communities.
Why did you want to become a veterinarian?
My grandfather, uncle, and brother are crop farmers in southeastern Virginia. They grow mostly cotton and peanuts, in addition to corn, wheat, and soybeans. Having been born into a farming family, agriculture has always been a part of my life. I want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine so that I can support farmers in my community and help them raise healthy livestock in an ethical and sustainable way.
How did the School of Animal Sciences help prepare you for your career goals?
The animal science courses introduced me a wide range of career paths in the field and provided numerous hands-on opportunities work with animals. It was through these experiences that I realized my passion for large animal medicine.
What was your favorite class?
I have loved so many of my classes, but my favorite was APSC 3824, Equine Training and Marking. Each student is assigned a young horse to work with three times a week in preparation for the Hokie Harvest Sale at the end of October.
Before this class, I had experience riding and caring for horses, but I had never trained them. Each day that I worked with my assigned weanling, Reed, we both learned something new. I developed my patience, consistency, and perseverance as I saw the importance of each in Reed’s training progression. I am thankful for the Virginia Tech equine program, which gives students such valuable, hands-on time working with youngstock.
What hands-on research opportunities did you have?
I was a research assistant in Orsolya Balogh’s theriogenology lab at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where I helped study the effects of isoxazoline class ectoparasites on canine semen quality. I was able to gain experience in all aspects of sperm analysis and a better understanding of veterinary research.
What study abroad experiences did you have?
I studied abroad in the British Isles in May 2024, learning about differences in how the U.S. and the U.K. manage animal welfare, animal production, environmental practices, and agricultural policy. The trip had a great balance of sightseeing and experiential learning activities. Some of my favorite memories include attending the Otley Farm Show, visiting an English bison farm, hiking Author’s Seat in Edinburgh, seeing the Cliffs of Moher, and exploring St. Andrews Cathedral.
What extracurriculars did you participate in?
In my first year, I worked as a student manager for the women’s basketball team. I played basketball in high school and saw it as an opportunity to continue being involved with the sport. Being surrounded by Hokie enthusiasm during the games and experiencing the team’s the Final Four run that year was incredible.
Block & Bridle Club and the Collegiate Horseman’s Association introduced me to so many friends with similar interests and goals. I got to help with 4-H youth events, make lots of delicious barbeque, and gain experience in equine breeding and foaling. I spent many hours on foal watch last spring at the Smithfield Equine Center and was able to witness the moments right after one foal’s birth.
I also competed on the Western Riding Team. I joined with no show experience, but was supported by kind team members and learned so much from the coach, Katrina Williams.
What role did scholarships play in making your education possible?
The amazing amount of scholarship support I received during my college experience enabled me to focus my time on studying, performing well in classes, and being active in extracurriculars, research, and shadowing experiences, instead of having to maintain a part-time job.
I received multiple scholarships, some of which include the Global Education Office Study Abroad Scholarship, Richard G. and Ann L. Saacke Scholarship, George W. Koiner Scholarship, Jack S. Copenhaver Scholarship, Chowan Basin Soil and Water Scholarship, the H. Earl Longest Endowment scholarship, the Avery Drew Swenson Memorial scholarship, along with several more. I am extremely thankful for each scholarship I was awarded.
Without scholarship support, I also would not have been able to participate the study abroad program. Although I was drawn to food animal medicine during my first year in college, this experience in the British Isles was beneficial to me as a student as it confirmed that this is truly where my interest lies.
