Road to Graduation: Carmaletha Bisoi
A path to veterinary medicine paved by persistence and passion
As the Class of 2026 approaches graduation, we're highlighting the unique paths that brought each student to this milestone. For Carmaletha, that path was anything but traditional, and it's one she hopes will inspire others to believe that dreams don't have an expiration date.
A Dream Rooted in Family
Carmaletha's love for animals began on the family ranch, long before she understood it as a calling. "My father recognized my love for animals before I fully understood it myself. He saw how much I enjoyed caring for our ranch animals and taught me everything he knew about animal husbandry. Those early experiences planted the foundation for my dream of becoming a veterinarian."
That dream was shaped by profound loss and resilience. After losing her father and older sister in a tragic accident when she was young, Carmaletha's family rallied around and encouraged her to pursue her dream, no matter the cost. When preparing to leave the Navajo Nation to attend college, her older brothers reminded her, “[Never] give up, no matter how hard it gets. You are tough because we raised you that way. Your last name has meaning, and you come from a strong family. If any one of us is going to do it, it is going to be you.” Their words stayed with her throughout her educational journey, especially when the path felt uncertain or difficult.
A Non-Traditional Path
Although her passion for veterinary medicine never waned, life led her down a different path before bringing her back to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. After earning her undergraduate degree from Washington State University, Carmaletha stepped away from school to gain hands-on experience in veterinary medicine. She started a family, raised her children, and spent more than 10 years as a veterinary technician. It wasn't until a mentor from that chapter of her life reminded her that, although she had grown tremendously as a technician, it was time to take the next step and pursue her original dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Returning to community college to retake prerequisite courses, Carmaletha described each completed course as "another golden stepping stone toward a dream finally within reach." When she learned she had been accepted to the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, she called her husband in tears: "I did it! I got into vet school!" Her children's response has stayed with her as well: "We knew you could do it, Mommy!"
What Graduation Means
As a first-generation college student and the first in her family to pursue a doctoral degree, Carmaletha reflects on graduation as more than an individual achievement.
"This degree represents more than my individual accomplishment; it represents my father's teachings, my mother's sacrifices, my brothers' encouragement, my husband's support, my children's belief in me, and the strength of the family and community from which I come."
She hopes her journey shows her children and future generations that "dreams do not have an expiration date and that the path toward achieving them does not have to look the same for everyone."
Looking Ahead
After graduation, Carmaletha will join Hippo Veterinary Group's Fifth-Year Mentorship Program, working across several locations throughout the Phoenix Valley, with a focus on small-animal urgent care and emergency medicine. "This one-year program will provide continued mentorship and support as I transition from veterinary student to practicing veterinarian."
Her long-term goals reach beyond her own career. Following the mentorship program, she plans to apply for the USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and provide veterinary services to rural, underserved communities in designated veterinary shortage areas, continuing the mixed-animal and rural-medicine roots that first inspired her.
Advice for Future Veterinarians
To applicants who see themselves in her story, Carmaletha offers this:
"Do not give up on the dreams and goals you have set for yourself. Many meaningful accomplishments require sacrifice, and only you can decide what you are willing to do to reach your goals."
And to incoming first-year students, she offers encouragement grounded in her own experience of the journey: "It will not always be easy. You will be tired, and at times, veterinary school may feel like a marathon, but remind yourself there is a finish line... Take care of yourself and make time for the people and activities that bring you joy."