Road to Graduation | Riley Edwards
Celebrating our Class of 2025 VetCats
As part of our Road to Graduation series, we’re highlighting members of the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2025 as they prepare to take their next steps in the profession. Today, we’re featuring Riley Edwards, a future veterinarian passionate about building relationships with clients and patients, as well as planning an exciting career path.
What are your career plans after graduation?
“To work at a GP for a few years to get my feet underneath me as a doctor, hopefully work somewhere that also does Urgent Cares. I would eventually like to move into the world of ER at some point.”
Do you know where you’ll be working?
"I will be starting at a general practice called Country Hill Animal Clinic in Lenexa, KS where my husband and two dogs are."
How did your educational experiences influence your career path?
“I truly believe that working in a veterinary clinic after I graduated undergrad really solidified what I wanted to do. I found that I loved the technician side of things, and I wanted to be able to actually do surgery.”
What excites you most about your future opportunities?
“I am most excited about being able to see patients on my own and getting to see patients grow up from a puppy or kitten up to an adult. I am excited to build relationships with clients and patients and be able to be there for them in times when they don’t know what to do.”
How did your clinical experiences prepare you for your career in veterinary medicine?
“I have had some amazing clinical experiences. I have learned how to deal with difficult euthanasias, clients that are terrified about surgeries, and clients that thought their pet was healthy but then we had to talk about cancer. My clinical year has been a very well-rounded experience, and I feel like I would be ready to come out as a day one ready vet.”
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our Road to Graduation series, as we celebrate the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2025 and their incredible journeys.