Creative Corner

YT3

Submitted by Zachary Anger Texas A&M University

PHCOC 2025-2026 Underserved Areas Award Winner

Taylor Thompson 

“The cost of community is inconvenience.”

This quote reminds me that showing up for your community is not always easy or convenient. It requires setting aside your own time to support others and often pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

One experience that has stayed with me was when six fellow University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine (UofA CVM) students, Dr. Eaton, and I met with the staff at Bar V Ranch and local 4-H students to process cattle. Despite it being March, temperatures were close to 95°F, and the ranch was about an hour away. We were divided into groups consisting of UofA CVM students who worked alongside 4-H students to body condition score (BCS) and vaccinate cattle.

Initially, both groups were quiet and hesitant to engage. As the day progressed, however, we began comparing our BCS and discussing our reasoning. We learned from the 4-H students’ extensive hands-on experience evaluating cattle, and our conversations naturally expanded to their backgrounds and interests in large animal production.

Several students shared that they hoped to pursue large animal veterinary medicine but felt overwhelmed by veterinary school prerequisites, grades, applications, and gaining experience. Their concerns reminded me of the uncertainty I experienced navigating my own path. Rather than tell them what they should do, I offered to connect them with a classmate whose background more closely aligned with theirs, hoping shared experiences could provide meaningful guidance.

We ended the day palpating cows while Dr. Eaton interpreted ultrasound findings. The experience reinforced the importance of herd health, reproductive management, and veterinarians’ role in producing healthy livestock for the food supply.

As a future clinician, I hope to continue participating in outreach and mentoring future large animal veterinarians, helping strengthen the workforce serving rural and underserved agricultural communities.

Photography

Furry Friends 

Submitted by Shayna-Mindel Stewart Texas A&M University

Case Report

Clinical Theileriosis in a Calf 

Submitted by Helena Trevor, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Culture Corner

My mom was born in Barcelona and raised in Catalonia, so I grew up appreciating many

beautiful Catalan traditions. One of my favorite Catalan traditions is watching ‘Els Castells’ (“the

Human Tower”), sometimes going up to 10+ levels, and it is an important part of many annual

festivities throughout Catalan towns and cities! This particular mural was in the Catalan region of

Penedès, where the “Castellers de Vilafranca” perform. Not only does this tradition take physical

teamwork and incredible coordination among the team (who are typically made up of families that

have passed down this tradition for generations), but it also showcases what happens when we all

come together for a common goal – unified, we can reach incredible heights, and I love to see a part

of our Catalan culture remaining alive for the world to see!

My mom was born in Barcelona and raised in Catalonia, so I grew up appreciating manybeautiful Catalan traditions. One of my favorite Catalan traditions is watching ‘Els Castells’ (“theHuman Tower”), sometimes going up to 10+ levels, and it is an important part of many annualfestivities throughout Catalan towns and cities! This particular mural was in the Catalan region ofPenedès, where the “Castellers de Vilafranca” perform. Not only does this tradition take physicalteamwork and incredible coordination among the team (who are typically made up of families thathave passed down this tradition for generations), but it also showcases what happens when we allcome together for a common goal – unified, we can reach incredible heights, and I love to see a partof our Catalan culture remaining alive for the world to see!

Submitted by Angelina Sapienza, University of Florida