Unique Opportunities Help Texas A&M Student Achieve Goal Of Becoming Rural Veterinarian

Story by Megan Bennett, VMBS Marketing & Communications

April 15, 2025

Lindsey Tarby, a fourth-year veterinary student at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), has had many interesting experiences that have helped her dreams take shape. 

From contributing to equine research as an undergraduate to serving her fellow Texans with the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET), Tarby took every opportunity she could to try something new and discover new interests.

With graduation just around the corner, she’s now ready to apply all of those experiences to her dream career as a rural mixed animal veterinarian — one that’s been a lifetime in the making.

Establishing A Dream

Tarby first experienced working with animals as a young girl growing up in Princeton, Texas.

“I started showing goats and sheep through 4-H and FFA when I was in fourth grade and then I switched to cattle — both heifers and steers — in high school,” she said.

Tarby loved working with animals so much that she made it her goal to become a veterinarian. To put this dream to the test, she joined the 4-H Vet Science Club in middle school.

“Through the Vet Science Club, I was able to go into vet clinics and get behind the scenes to see what veterinary medicine was all about,” Tarby said. “I really enjoyed that and that’s what confirmed that I wanted to be a veterinarian.”

When it came time to apply for college, Texas A&M was Tarby’s clear first choice.

“I knew that A&M had an awesome vet school and that’s where I wanted to end up,” she said. “It just made sense to go there for undergrad too. Plus, I have a lot of Aggies in my family — aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and brothers.”

As an undergraduate majoring in animal science, she continued looking for new opportunities to explore the wide world of veterinary medicine, including by joining the Texas Aggie CattleWomen and Saddle & Sirloin clubs and by completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Equine Science.

As part of the certificate, Tarby assisted animal science faculty members with two equine research projects studying feed and joint supplements. As she realized that caring for the horses was her favorite part of the experience, Tarby felt even more sure that becoming a veterinarian was the right path for her.

Spreading Her Wings

During the spring semester of her junior year, Tarby briefly left Aggieland to complete an internship at Gardiner Angus Ranch in Ashland, Kansas.

“The experience was full of hands-on opportunities starting from day one,” Tarby said. “I learned about pregnancy determination and fetal sexing via ultrasound, preparing bulls for their three spring sales, evaluating expected progeny differences (how certain genetic traits will pass down to offspring), and overall ranch operations. My intern-mates and I got to be involved in all areas of a large seedstock operation during that spring semester and gained so much knowledge.” 

Tarby enjoyed the experience so much that in the spring of 2020, after completing her bachelor’s degree, she decided to return to Ashland and spend an entire year living at Gardiner Angus Ranch and working at Ashland Veterinary Clinic before beginning veterinary school.

“I am so thankful for my time at Ashland Veterinary Clinic,” Tarby said. “I learned so much about rural mixed animal practice. Not only did I gain many hands-on skills, but I also saw the important roles that veterinarians play in a rural community. I realized that it was a lifestyle I really enjoyed and would want to pursue one day as well.”

In the fall of 2021, Tarby returned to College Station to begin veterinary school, now even more certain that rural mixed animal medicine was the right path for her.

Embracing New Experiences

Throughout her four years of veterinary school, Tarby continued to take advantage of every opportunity to explore her passions and try new things.

One of her favorite experiences was completing the Food Animal Production & Rural Practice Tour at the VMBS’ Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach (VERO) campus in Canyon, Texas.

“That was my first time in the Panhandle and it was great getting to experience various rural mixed clinics,” she said. “We spent time helping at different clinics in the area and visited sale barns, dairies, and even a swine operation. I really enjoyed seeing all the different ways vets use their degrees to serve the local producers.”

When she began clinical rotations during her fourth year, she gained hands-on experience with a variety of animals, including through unique rotations with the VET and the Houston SPCA.

“During my VET rotation, we went down to Raymondville to provide veterinary care to the community as part of Operation Border Health Preparedness,” Tarby said. “It was such a rewarding experience that I’m really glad I had the chance to take part in. You could tell that the community was so thankful to have us there. We were able to provide care to so many animals in such a short amount of time. 

“Then, when I was on the HSPCA rotation, Hurricane Beryl hit during our second week,” she said. “My classmates and I ended up being part of a team that completed physical exams on about 350 egrets that blew in with the storm. After checking them for broken bones, dislocated joints, or any other abnormalities, we tube fed them and nursed them back to health. It was a really unique experience and something I’d never done before.”

Giving Back

After graduating with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in May, Tarby will begin working at Coleman Veterinary Clinic in Coleman, Texas — a rural mixed animal practice about 53 miles southeast of Abilene — just like she has always dreamed.

One of her favorite things about the clinic is that it provides care for a large variety of animals.

“This clinic sees several livestock show animals,” Tarby said. “Growing up, 4-H and FFA had such a big impact on my life. I learned so much through caring for my projects and was fortunate to have some success both in and out of the show ring. 

“None of that would have been possible without the help and support of so many people along the way,” she said. “I’m excited to be part of that support system for the livestock show kids at Coleman Vet Clinic. I look forward to helping them keep their animals healthy and hopefully playing a positive role in their 4-H and FFA careers.”

Overall, Tarby most looks forward to living out her dream of caring for a variety of animals while also serving the community she will call home.

“Vets often play many roles in a rural community — leaders, volunteers, and friends,” she said. “I’m excited to step into that role when I graduate.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

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