Zach Kirkpatrick, a soon-to-be double Hokie, has charted a unique path, blending his passion for veterinary medicine with a commitment to serve his country. 

Thanks to a U.S. Army scholarship, Kirkpatrick, a Class of 2025 student in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, is poised to embark on a career that offers not only financial support and professional development but also the opportunity to make an impact through scholarship and research.

After graduating with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in May, Kirkpatrick, who also has an undergraduate degree in animal and poultry sciences from Virginia Tech, will head to Texas for five weeks for additional education on the role of Army veterinarians. This training will provide Zach with essential military and veterinary-specific skills. 

Following this training, he’ll begin a one-year internship to gain on-the-job experience before transitioning into his first active-duty role as a commissioned officer in the Army Veterinary Corps.

For three weeks in January, Kirkpatrick worked alongside faculty and staff at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, assisting with both emergency and elective equine cases. 

"My time at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center was an amazing learning experience that helped better equip me for equine practice, in particular with the military working equines,” Kirkpatrick said. “The faculty, residents, interns, and technicians work at the highest levels to provide top quality care to their equine patients."

The EMC is a 24-7 equine emergency center and one of three teaching hospitals of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

"The hands-on experiences and knowledge that I gained at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, I will carry with me throughout my career as a veterinarian, regardless of where I am in the world and the mission I am trying to achieve," Kirkpatrick said.

Comprehensive financial support throughout veterinary school was provided by the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). The program covers tuition, fees, and supplies, while also offering a monthly stipend and other benefits. In exchange, recipients commit to serving in the Army Veterinary Corps for at least three years, with one year of service for each year of scholarship support.

"It is both an honor and privilege to receive the Army HPSP scholarship," Kirkpatrick said. “As I prepare to enter into active duty as an Army veterinarian, I look forward to serving my country with regards to the human, animal, environmental, and public health"

The Army Veterinary Corps offers many opportunities, from providing care for military working dogs and ceremonial horses to ensuring the safety of food and water supplies for military personnel worldwide. Army veterinarians may also conduct biomedical research, supporting initiatives that benefit both human and animal health.

Kirkpatrick is eager to embrace the diverse roles and opportunities his Army career will offer. He will work with animals owned by military families, plus service animals and horses, including the care of distinguished Caisson horses used in ceremonial military funerals. 

With aspirations of work abroad, he hopes to be stationed in an area such as South Korea. His career could see him stationed anywhere from Europe, Alaska to the Middle East, or even in Special Forces units, where veterinarians often engage in international animal health projects.

After completing his three-year active-duty service, Kirkpatrick plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neurology, addressing what he sees as a critical knowledge gap in the field of equine neurology. His passion for research and commitment to advancing veterinary medicine exemplify the leadership and dedication fostered by the Army Veterinary Corps.

Kirkpatrick is ready to take on the challenges and rewards of this multifaceted career. Whether he’s caring for military animals, conducting cutting-edge research, or contributing to public health initiatives, he is poised to leave a lasting impact on the veterinary profession and beyond.

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