A Voice for a Future Generation of Equine Practitioners
Deianira Smith is paving the way for future equine practitioners who are ready to make their mark on the veterinary field.
Deianira Smith, class of 2023 DVM candidate and President of the Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners was recently invited to appear on a panel at the National AAEP Convention hosted in Nashville, Tennessee. The panel, entitled, 'Understanding Generational Differences in Equine Practice,' focused on the evolution of equine medicine. To highlight her experience, we had a chance to ask her a few questions.
1. What does this invitation to contribute to this panel mean to you?
Being invited to contribute to this panel means that I am on the right track. All the work I have been putting in and the steps I have been taking towards my career are beginning to pay off. I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to represent myself as a future equine practitioner and represent UA's chapter of SCAAEP and the University of Arizona CVM.
2. What excites you about the future of equine medicine?
What excites me about the future of equine medicine is all the new possibilities! The innovation and research are leading to groundbreaking medicine to treat or prevent common diseases that we see every day. I'm also excited for the social, economic, and medical changes in the industry from my generation and younger generations entering the field.
In addition to her invitation to the 67th Annual AAEP Convention, Deianira is one of five students recently awarded a $5,000 Zoetis scholarship. Now in its ninth year, the Zoetis scholarship program rewards veterinary students at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Europe for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and American Association of Equine Practitioners student chapter, and their long-term goals in equine practice.