IVEC Student Highlight

SAVMA IVEC would like to highlight Lindsay Hopper, a fourth-year student at the University of Tennessee CVM who was awarded the IVEC Scholarship. 

“My experience in Belize has shaped how I view veterinary medicine and all the individuals involved in animal care. While in Belize, I was able to work with the dedicated keepers at the Belize Zoo and learn from them about the incredible animals they care for. Our group was composed of veterinarians and veterinary students from the University of Tennessee. We were able to provide care for over 40 animals including jaguars, jaguarundis, howler monkeys, tapir, coatimundi, kinkajou, peccary, toucan, and more. We performed physical exams, annual wellness treatments, spays, dental cleanings with extractions, root canals and more. Some of my favorite experiences were participating in a howler monkey spay, performing a physical exam on a jaguar, and assisting in a dental on a jaguar.

This experience also allowed me to gain experience providing veterinary care with limited resources. We were able to provide care to so many animals, despite not having all the resources and technology that we are used to in a university setting. This is important to me because I plan on volunteering my time in the future to organizations in the US and abroad that provide veterinary care in underserved communities.

Being able to care for the amazing creatures at the Belize Zoo is an experience that will stay with me forever.”