05/09/2026
One of our own is going to vet school… 🎓💚
If you’ve been to West Creek Animal Clinic, chances are you’ve seen Maddie helping behind the scenes, assisting with your pet’s care, and being an essential part of our team.
Now, we’re so proud to celebrate her as she takes the next step toward becoming a veterinarian after being accepted into an inaugural veterinary program at Lincoln Memorial University!
Her journey is one of dedication, growth, and determination and we couldn’t be more excited to share it. 🐾
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What inspired you to pursue veterinary medicine?
“I have wanted to be a vet my entire life. I have always loved animals, especially dogs, and thought that being a vet was perfect. My entire childhood was spent playing “stuffed animal hospital” and being a doctor to all my toys. When I got to high school, I all of a sudden changed my mind. I learned more about the education needed to be a veterinarian, and decided it was too much and too hard and I didn’t want to do it. I made it through high school (which was homeschooling and dual enrollment through Liberty University) and graduated with my diploma and associates degree in Business Administration at age 16. The summer after I graduated I got a job a as a kennel assistant at West Creek Animal Clinic, although at that time it was Patterson Veterinary Hospital. I spent a lot of time with the dogs, which continuously reinforced how much I loved working with them. When Dr. Minch bought the practice and I became a veterinary assistant, I was able to see firsthand what a veterinarian does, and how much of a difference they can make in an animals lives. At this point, I was about a year away from graduating with my bachelors in data analytics, and realized that I could definitely do the schooling aspect. I graduated with my bachelors at 18, and have spent the last two years finishing up some science prerequisites required to apply. Working with Dr. Minch and the other doctors in seeing what they actually do and being a part of the science in the medicine behind all of it really made it clear that this was 100% what I want to do.”
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What does getting accepted into this inaugural program mean to you?
“I am beyond grateful and excited that I have been accepted into this program. While Florida wasn’t a super expected option, I am so excited to be a part of this. Being part of the inaugural class will be a unique experience, as I will help be the one to help shape it for future classes, which I am looking forward to.”
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What area of veterinary medicine are you most interested in right now?
“Right now I am most interested in veterinary pathology. I thoroughly enjoyed my microbiology course, and the pathology aspects of my other science courses. I am also interested in animal behavior, thanks to Dr. Minch. Through her work, I have been able to see the difficult yet rewarding side of animal behavior, and the benefit for all parties involved in utilizing fear free techniques, which is something I want to continue practicing and implementing throughout vet school”
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What’s been your favorite part of working in the clinic so far?
“My favorite part about working in a clinic, is being able to see and learn how a hospital runs first hand. To be able to understand how the various systems, blood work, machines, and other technologies are used in real life applications has been great. I thoroughly enjoy getting to learn from people of all backgrounds and levels of certifications/skills which gives me a more rounded view on what vet med looks like.”
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What’s one thing you’ve learned working here that you’ll take with you into vet school?
“One thing I have learned working in a clinic that I will be taking with me to school is to respect your staff, and listen to your veterinary technicians! They’ve been in the field for a long time, and can provide great insight. Everything runs smoother when you work as a team”
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Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!
“No pets at the moment! I had a chocolate lab who lived to be almost 14, she passed in 2025. I had two axolotl‘s for a little while, but they have been rehomed because they can’t come to school. I will likely be getting a beta fish once I move down to Florida, however!”
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What’s a moment in the clinic that stuck with you?
“The first time I drew blood on a dog. I was terrified but it went great and I hit the vein first poke”
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What kind of veterinarian do you hope to be?
“I hope to be a small animal (dogs and cats) and small exotics veterinarian, but I am definitely not opposed to working with large exotics (like zoo animals) as well!”
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What motivates you on the hard days?
“On the hard days, I am motivated by all of the people around me. When you’re doubting yourself, it helps to remember all of the people who believe in you. The team at West Creek animal clinic is always there for encouragement when I need it.”
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Coffee order before a long shift? ☕
“My coffee order is almost always at Dunkin, I get an iced coffee with cream, sugar, and butter pecan flavoring. You definitely need that sugar sometimes to make through the day 😂”
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Favorite dog breed?
“golden retrievers”
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Cats or dogs… or both?
“Both… but I’ll always be a dog person”
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Dream place to practice veterinary medicine?
“My dream place to practice veterinary medicine would be Hilton Head Island in South Carolina”
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What advice would you give someone who wants to go into veterinary medicine?
“My advice would be to not let the schooling scare you away. As long as you work hard at your education, do well, and truly care about the animals, it is absolutely possible.”
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How has working at WCAC prepared you for this next step?
“Working at WCAC has helped prepare me for vet school by teaching me animal handling, communication skills, how to work as a team, and so much more. Already having experience in anesthesia, monitoring, technical skills, and seeing a variety of complex cases will help me greatly in school”
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What will you miss most about the clinic?
“I will miss getting to see all of my best friends, I mean, coworkers, every day. I will miss all of the clients and patients that I have grown close with over the past four years. I will also miss reminding everyone in the clinic of how young I am, by not recognizing any of the songs, shows, or actors they try to tell me about. 😂”
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What does being part of this team mean to you?
“The team at West Creek Animal Clinic means a lot to me. We have been through a lot together, and it’s been great to grow alongside them”
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💚 We are so incredibly proud of you.
Watching your journey from kennel assistant to veterinary assistant—and now to veterinary school, has been such a privilege. Your dedication, compassion, and love for animals are exactly what this profession needs.
Florida is lucky to have you… but you’ll always have a home here at West Creek. 🐾
Join us in wishing her the very best as she starts this exciting new chapter! 🎉
