VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Amanda L. Weakley-Scott

Amanda L. Weakley Scott 10', DVM '14

Associate Veterinarian, Virginia Herd Health Management Services, PC
Co-Owner, Lee-Lynn Farms, LLC (Purebred Simmental Cattle, Hay, and Poultry)

How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
The sheer amount of hands-on experience, I obtained during my time at VMCVM was really what prepared me for the “real world.” It is truly impossible to learn everything while in school, but getting involved through clubs, wet labs and working on local and correctional facility farms helped build confidence in working with producers and developing plans of action that could be executed in any situation. That skill of developing plans has helped me in many other aspects of life as well. For current students, I would encourage you to get involved, books will always be available for knowledge, most available right on your phone, but building skills with the mentorship of your professors is invaluable.

Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
We’re still a family. You spend some of the toughest four years of your life in a fish bowl and develop life-long friendships with those in your class. Even classmates that I don’t get to see often, we keep in touch and always have a great time getting together at the Virginia Veterinary Conference.

Best advice I've gotten....
I very vividly remember Dr. O’Brien giving this nugget of wisdom during a Food Animal Practitioner’s Meeting with a panel of female veterinarians, when the question was raised how do you continue to do your job while pregnant or with children? Her response was, “You just make it work.” That has continued to be my mantra through my first years of practice, getting married, starting a family, building a farm operation as first-generation poultry farmers and juggling our schedules to “just make it work.” I will admit it isn’t always easy, but my husband and I both believe it is instilling a level of grit and tenacity in our girls that will help them tremendously in the long run. So, I offer the same bit of advice to current students or those aspiring to attend veterinary school, it may take juggling, and burning the candle at both ends at times, but where there is a will there is always a way to “just make it work.”

How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
Farms large to small: Dr. Amanda Weakley-Scott helps them all.

My hidden talent...
I can create a parody in just a few minutes to help remember concepts with music.

A person who has inspired me...
It’s hard to pick just one, so I would pick my grandparents as a group. Each offered different strengths and characteristics, that built who I am today. From entrepreneurial spirit to sheer stubbornness and determination, to sweat equity, hard work and financial management, I strive to have their legacy live on through me.

What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
How to do so many things one-handed (taught during bovine palpation class), but really came in handy with newborns and toddlers. Also, Dr. Panciera’s lectures on diabetes, as my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, but is a true warrior, and I am thankful for Endocrinology class!

Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
One of the biggest misconceptions is that all veterinarians are in it for the money. I really have a hard time with this one, especially as a food animal veterinarian bringing home significantly less than my small animal colleagues, despite the same debt burden. Food-animal medicine is a passion, it is a lifestyle, and most importantly it stems from a love and respect for the animals that will provide our food and fiber.

Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
Just keep swimming … it’s the only thing you can do when faced with a firehose from first year on … AND always volunteer, even if you might look silly trying out a new skill, just do it, and go to wet labs, they’re the best!

Fondest college memory or tradition...
Alpha Psi Tailgates AND traveling in and out of the country on fourth-year rotations!

A cause I'm most passionate about... The most formative experience I've had...
AGRICULTURE!! Both being a food-animal veterinarian and a farmer, I love to talk about how our food and fiber is raised and grown with anyone from clients to consumers to legislators. It was a great honor to have recently been appointed by the governor to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Board to further expand my 'agvocacy' efforts. I owe this and a lot of my connections to my “formative” years in 4-H and FFA that helped me network with others, learn leadership and public speaking skills, and put them into practice throughout college and my career.

Top of my bucket list...
A trip to Niagara Falls or a Montana/Wyoming/Colorado trip.

My favorite quote...
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ~Philippians 4:13

Being a VMCVM alumnus means...
Representing our school day after day. I think back to the doors both my undergraduate degrees, and veterinary degree from Virginia Tech have opened. I have worked with undergrad classmates in Virginia Cooperative Extension to plan and teach classes with fellow VMRCVM colleagues, one of which included processing and castrating beef calves with Dr. Temple Grandin. I have encouraged students to attend Virginia Tech, and love to share memories and experiences with aspiring pre-vet students. It also means that I carry on the tradition and service that others didn’t get the chance to, like my friend Emily J. Hilscher, who was going to be one amazing equine practitioner, and my mentor, Dr. Joe Garvin, who instilled a love for policy development and advocacy efforts in my Food-animal heart. We have had so many great doctors come from VMCVM, that it is an honor to continue that legacy.

How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
We have two dogs, Lexi and Hank, both Australian shepherd crosses that help on the farm and mainly keep the kids occupied. Lexi is our 7-year-old that allows the kids to dress her up in all the costumes, and greets everyone that comes to our house, Hank on the other hand is more timid, but certainly loves my oldest daughter more than anyone else. Then there is Anastasia, also affectionately called Floofers. She was adopted by my oldest daughter after her birthday where she asked for animal shelter donations in lieu of presents. Then when we went to drop off the donations, there was Anastasia and the rest is history.

We also have my daughter’s herd of 4-H project Boer goats, all with names of course. There are our three starter does, Neffy, Spaghetti and Diamond, their daughters, Marshmallow, S’mores and Sprinkles and the wether that will go to the State Fair, Frosting. This was my oldest daughter’s first year in the 4-H Livestock Club and I think she is off to a great start with her herd.

My husband and I also raise turkeys and have both a commercial cow/calf operation and a purebred Simmental herd where we sell registered bulls and replacement heifers.

Anything else to add?
GO HOKIES!!