Scholarship enables veterinary student to give back to her farm community
As Shelly Underwood describes her future as an agricultural veterinarian, she uses the words “give back” over and over again.
Doc Fuller ’88, DVM ’97 would have approved.
Underwood, set to graduate from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in May, is the current recipient of the Dr. Bill W. (Doc) Fuller Veterinary Scholarship.
The Fuller scholarship, established by Fuller’s sister Barbara Blevins and her husband, Marty, with contributions from many others, honors Fuller, who was a Southwest Virginia mixed-animal practice veterinarian based in Gate City. Fuller, who was known for his tireless service to animals and rural residents and his mentorship of aspiring veterinarians, died in late 2022 at the age of 56.
“I want to keep his memory alive and there’s no better way to do that than through this scholarship,” Blevins said. “I want his memory to continue.”
The award is given to third- and fourth-year students on the veterinary college's food animal medicine track. Underwood, from Mechanicsville, is a fourth-year student and received her undergraduate degree in animal and poultry science through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Underwood, also a recipient of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Foundation/Zoetis scholarship for 2025, said the financial help provided by the Fuller scholarship eases stress and opens up new horizons.
“These scholarship opportunities have definitely relieved some of the anxiety that comes along with the financial burden of pursuing my dream of becoming a food animal veterinarian,” Underwood said. “I am especially thankful for them because I know I will be serving a rural community where my pay will be much lower than many of my colleagues and therefore it will take much longer to pay back my student loans.”
Underwood said the scholarships also allow her to “allot more funds toward externship and clinical experiences that will make me a better veterinarian.” One such opportunity she is seeking is to work in a dairy area to gain more palpation experience.
Although Underwood grew up in the suburbs of Richmond, her parents “both grew up on farms and wanted me to have those values.” They enrolled her in 4-H, and she quickly became interested in livestock. Her family didn’t have the land to support a livestock herd, so she started by tending poultry at age 9 and sometimes helping friends show their livestock.
That passion led her to working with Bom Harris DVM '08 and owner of Old Dominion Veterinary Services, a mobile farm animal veterinary practice serving over 20 counties in central and eastern Virginia.
“She showed me what it meant to be a food animal veterinarian,” Underwood said. “I loved learning from her about how this role involved advocating for the quality of life for the animals that provide so much for us, caring for the producers, and ensuring that a community has a safe and healthy food supply. I also loved learning how to educate others about the role and importance of animal agriculture.“
Harris was a mentor for Underwood much the same as Fuller did for multiple aspiring veterinarians.
“I know that he would want to be able help support young people who have very similar interests to what he had,” Blevins said.
In her clinics as a veterinary student, Underwood has come under the tutelage Tom Massie ’91, DVM ‘95 of Rose Hill Veterinary Practice in Washington, Virginia, and Melinda McCall DVM ’04 of Louisa Veterinary Service, among many others who have influenced her journey inside and outside the veterinary college.
Giving back to all the donors, mentors, and others who have supported her is a big part of the inspiration for Underwood’s career plans.
“I wouldn't be here without all of these mentors,” Underwood said. “I would not have made it through veterinary school without their support. There were and still are many days where the imposter syndrome kicks in, but because of their passion, encouragement, grace and willingness to teach, I have felt inspired and worthy to achieve my dreams.”
While Underwood said she might have to go out of state for her first livestock veterinarian position, her ultimate goal, like that of Fuller and her mentors, is to serve Virginia agriculture and eventually buy into a veterinary practice serving rural communities in the state.
She also said she and her fiancé would like to have their own herd of cattle.
“I really love agriculture education too,” Underwood said. “That’s something I am really big on and plan to continue to be a part of via local programs like 4-H, Agriculture in the Classroom, and Extension educational events for producers and youth.”
