Your first step to pursuing a career with animals is at NDSU. The pre-veterinary medicine track prepares students for a career in animal medicine.
Amanda Fideldy always wanted to work with animals. The senior from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is pursuing her degree in animal science with an emphasis in animal biomedical science at NDSU and intends to go to veterinary school once she graduates in the spring.
Fideldy chose to start her journey in veterinary medicine at NDSU because there were many opportunities for hands-on learning with animals of all sizes. The variety of coursework also gave her a foundation in areas she will refine in a professional veterinary program.
“I love the variety that they have in courses. It’s not strictly going to class and listening to professors lecture,” she said. “You have hands-on experience with a variety of different animals.”
The barns at NDSU offer the ability to work with large animals, including sheep and cows. The size of the Fargo-Moorhead area also provides opportunities to shadow and work in veterinary clinics.
Fideldy’s interest in emergency medicine and critical care led to working as a veterinary assistant at the Red River Animal Emergency Hospital. At the hospital, Fideldy assists in many areas of animal care, including triaging patients, lab work and interacting with clients.
“It’s really cool I can get that experience now as an undergraduate and apply that to my future goals,” she said.
Students interested in veterinary medicine can choose from many majors at NDSU: animal science, microbiology and biological sciences are the most common. Each program has foundational coursework needed for admission into a professional veterinary program.
There are more lessons to learn outside of the classroom. In campus organizations, like the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club, students interact with their peers and professionals to learn more about the veterinary profession. Internship and job shadowing opportunities at one of Fargo-Moorhead’s veterinary clinics help students learning on the job with large, small and exotic animals.
“I’m so well-prepared to enter the next few stages of my life,” Fideldy said. “I feel so well-prepared as far as entering not only veterinary school but also continuing on with my future career goals as well.”
