March 31, 2025

Images From the 8th College of Veterinary Medicine Photo Contest

Students in USU’s College of Veterinary Medicine submitted photographs of their experiences in and out of the classroom to win one of three $25 Amazon gift cards. From performing sheep embryo transfers to working with reindeer to celebrating Halloween, these pictures capture life as a vet med student at Utah State.

Below are 50 of the pictures we received with the winning three at the end. While these photos are appropriate for a general audience, please be aware that vet school can get messy, and some of these pictures reflect that. Be sure to click on an image to enter slideshow mode and see captions and full-size pictures! 

Students in the Washington-Idaho-Montana-Utah Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine during orientation at WSU. During the activity, students used a red ribbon to mark their gratitude to one other person who made their experience better in some way.
Kiana and Makaela fight to pop each others' balloons during orientation in Logan.
Erin cheers on Kiana and Makaela as they fight to pop each others' balloons.
Arianna, Kristen B., Kristen E., and Travis hike Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon to decompress after the first systemic pathology exam.
Travis takes a picture while rock climbing in Logan Canyon.
AJ completes in the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan.
Cassie during the Class of 2028 Whitecoat Ceremony.
Sophie performs a blood cross matching test to assess donor compatibility for blood transfusion.
First-year students pose during their first Principles of Surgery class.
Tessa, Clemmy, and Filly make silly faces while Sophie looks on in a lab.
Tessa Ganellan and her cat study for Systems Pathology.
Tara shadows the vets and neuters cats at the Murray Humane Society through USU’s Shelter Medicine Club.
Cassie during a Principles of Surgery mass removal lab on a cadaver dog.
Morgan performs her first feline orchiectomy.
Olive performs a neuter at the Murray Human Society.
Cassie and Gillian prepare to assist with sheep embryo transfers.
Gillian, Cassie, and Collin assist Dr. Rusty Stott and Dr. Holly Clement with transferring sheep embryos.
Molly assists Dr. Rusty Stott in a sheep embryo transfer surgery.
Loulou sutures the skin of a Holstein Heffer under the direction of Dr. Rusty Stott after he performed an LDA surgery.
Loulou practices her preg checking skills on one of the university beef cows. “We love hands-on — in this case, more like ‘hands-in’ — opportunities!” said Loulou.
Madison collects blood for a research project.
Students float down the Bear River as a bonding and mental wellness activity.
Loulou, Abbigail, Madi, Phebe, Bailey, Felicity, Alice, Cassie, and Shivani hike the Kamiak Butte Trail in Pullman, Washington.
Erin, Paula, and Olive hike with their dogs after class.
Students form a pyramid after completing the first Diagnostic Challenge in Logan.
WSU and USU students during the second Diagnostic Challenge in Pullman, Washington.
Olive Levinson works with simulated clients during the Diagnostic Challenge.
Brandi Olsen explains her case to simulated clients during the second Diagnostic Challenge.
Second-year students Amber, Sophie, Jessica, Paula, and Kristen work to develop a diagnosis during the first Diagnostic Challenge.
USU and WSU students take a break during the second diagnostic challenge to observe a colic surgery. The TV in the background provides an aerial view of the operation.
(Left to right) Simulated client Paul with students Cade, Ethan, Molly, Brandi, and Kristen along with facilitator and local veterinarian Dr. Gibbson.
Gillian, Jorey, and Madi kickin’ up dirt at the Dirt Dance following the USU Stampede Rodeo.
Kristen E. holds a horse, Kenna, for Dr. Heather Nemanic as she gives an equine chiropractic and acupuncture demonstration for USU students in the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
AAEP members attend a farrier and veterinarian relationship workshop. Dr. Karl Hoopes and farrier Danney Smith taught students about balance in the equine lower limb in a hands-on experience.
Cassie poses with her horse, Harley, at her family ranch in Idaho.
Kristen B., Ariana, AJ, and two friends outside the vet school summit Mt. Timpanogos between bacteriology and virology exams in September. The mountain is the second-highest in the Wasatch Range.
First-year students at the Little Bear Bottoms corn maze and haunted trail in October.
Gillian becomes a child of the corn after surviving the corn maze.
The pumpkin Brandi painted and brought to the CVM Halloween Party. The pumpkin won the most unique award and made the judges and other contestants wonder how she got the popcorn to stick. The answer: lots of hot glue.
Students celebrate Halloween.
Clemmy and Tessa go on a hike with Enzo.
Students work with Ginger Stout, a wildlife veterinarian with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, to treat mule deer.
Students work with Ginger Stout, a wildlife veterinarian with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, to treat mule deer.
Students work with Ginger Stout, a wildlife veterinarian with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, to treat mule deer.
Tara and Molly volunteer at Reindeer Express, a community event where the public can enjoy holiday activities while learning about reindeer and other animals.
Dr. Isaac Bott and USU’s Dr. Rusty Stott lead the main event at Reindeer Express.
Danielle celebrates with one of her family’s pet cows during winter break.
Winning photo: Collin, Joret, Loulou, and Madi give thumbs-up while helping Dr. Rusty Stott to preg check some cows.
Winning photo: Clemmy performs an orchiectomy on a cat.
Winning photo: AJ, Kristen, and Ariana pose for a photo during their climb of Mount Timpanogos.