VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Brett Casna
Brett Casna DVM '17
Founder & President, Granite VETS in Bedford, New Hampshire
How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
VMCVM gave me the tools to effectively and compassionately communicate with folks from all walks of life, even on some of their hardest days.
Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
No matter which corner of the country I find myself, there always seems to be a stranger wearing Hokie pride and the instant bond we share in conversation makes me so proud to be an alumnus.
Best advice I've gotten...
Be honest and recognize your limitations, but don't accept that they will always be limitations.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
Advancing Veterinary Surgery One Day At A Time
My hidden talent...
I can do pretty good accents and impressions.
A person who has inspired me...
As a new business owner I'm inspired by other successful business owners because now I know just how hard it is to run a successful business.
What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
As someone who switched from a focus of large animal to small animal medicine I'm sure glad I still paid attention to the small animal lectures.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
As a small animal surgeon, many folks think when we do a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery that we are giving their dog a knee replacement, which is always fun to explain to them.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
Don't be afraid to change your mind. Let the degree take you where you want to go and don't feel like you need to go a certain path. The opportunities are endless.
Fondest college memory or tradition...
There's nothing like meeting the classmates at the bar for a post-exam beer.
A cause I'm most passionate about... The most formative experience I've had...
I was lucky enough to have great mentors along the way and now I look forward to being able to mentor the younger generation.
Top of my bucket list ...
Playing golf at the Old Course in St. Andrews.
My favorite quote...
There is no shame in failure, only in quitting.
Being a VMCVM alumnus means ...
... always be willing to help even if its just the willingness
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Two German shorthaired pointers, Basil and Beni. They're littermates. They are each 1 year old and little wild childs, but they are simply the sweetest family dogs. They are both already proving to be incredible bird dogs and are going for their Jr. Hunter titles this Fall.
Reinsman, a 27-year-old, Morgan gelding who has been my wife's horse since she was a teenager and our newest addition, Mimi, a 20-year-old pony to help my daughter learn to ride.
