Road to Graduation | Brendan Walker

As part of our Road to Graduation series, we’re celebrating the incredible stories of the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2025. For Brendan Walker, veterinary medicine has always been a calling rooted in service and community. As he prepares to graduate, he’s looking ahead to the next steps in a career shaped by clinical diversity, a passion for emergency care, and a promise to return home and give back.

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What are your career plans after graduation?

“Internship to further knowledge and skill in Emergency Medicine. Ultimately, practice mixed animal medicine in Arizona!” 

After graduation, Brendan will begin a year-long internship at Gilbert Queen Creek Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center. The experience will enable him to refine his clinical skills and enhance his expertise in emergency medicine—an area of veterinary care that requires quick thinking, adaptability, and compassion.

How did your educational experiences influence your career path?

“Having a diverse clinical year with multiple specialties and species has encouraged me to be a practitioner to all. I would like to eventually return to the Navajo reservation to provide mixed animal services. I feel like my clinical year set me up to do just that.”

Brendan’s educational journey gave him exposure to a wide range of species and specialties, solidifying his desire to be a practitioner who can serve a broad spectrum of needs—especially in underserved areas. While the technical training has been essential, Brendan’s motivation remains deeply personal. He’s not just becoming a veterinarian—he’s fulfilling a commitment to his community.

What excites you most about your future opportunities?

“I left home to pursue this goal with the promise of always going back, as a veterinarian. I'm just excited to give back to my community.”