You know you’re ready to earn your DVM and begin your career as a vet. Maybe you’ve even applied to U.S. vet schools, and now you’re playing the waiting game. But with RUSVM’s three start dates—in January, May, and September—you have the opportunity to start vet school as soon as you’re ready.
Meet six RUSVM grads who jump-started their veterinary careers with our accelerated, AVMA-accredited DVM program, and read about their success in the fast lane.
Award-winning business owner
Name: Andrea Dattellas, DVM '11
Position: Owner, Fulton Animal Hospital
Location: Fulton, NY
This alum won a Small Business Excellence Award for her practice—just five years after graduating from RUSVM.
“I liked the fact that it was an accelerated program, and I felt that I was a competitive applicant. I knew some absolutely brilliant, qualified people who had gotten waitlisted at other programs, and I just didn’t want to mess around with that uncertainty. So I applied to Ross and prayed!”
Passion for exotics
Name: Krista Keller, DVM '10
Position: Avian and exotic animal veterinary specialist, University Hills Animal Hospital
Location: Denver, CO
Dr. Keller credits RUSVM with helping her discover her passion for nontraditional and exotic animals.
“I originally applied to [RUSVM] as a backup because I didn’t want to apply to a stateside school twice. But looking back, if I had to do it differently, I would have applied only to Ross, because I truly believe I got the best education I could have received.”
The holistic healer
Name: Frank Akawi, DVM '99
Position: Owner, Greenfield Animal Hospital
Location: Greenfield Center, NY
Having acquired a wealth of veterinary knowledge through graduate education and working in clinics, Dr. Akawi was itching to practice medicine as quickly as possible.
“UC Davis, Oklahoma State University, and Ross all accepted me, but Ross was the school that would allow me to start the quickest. I had applied in October, and the other schools’ terms wouldn’t start until late the following year. Meanwhile, Ross accepted me for the January semester, allowing me to start sooner, and the accelerated program would allow me to earn my degree that much sooner, too.”
Blogger extraordinaire
Name: Lauren Smith, DVM '08
Position: Veterinarian, VCA Animal Hospital
Location: East Northport, NY
In between caring for animals, Dr. Smith is a prolific blogger. Her work has been published on leading medical and veterinary blogs, such as KevinMD.com and DrAndyRoark.com.
“I applied to a few different state veterinary schools as well as Ross but wasn’t accepted. I considered reapplying and waiting another year, but I knew Ross was a really great school and I didn’t want to wait.
Partners in pet care
Names: Michael Hill, DVM '09 and Leilani Cota, DVM '12
Positions: Co-owners, Hill Animal Hospital
Location: Hickory, NC
This couple met in college. After two rounds of applications to his local stateside vet school didn’t work out for Dr. Hill, he applied and was accepted to RUSVM. Then, as Dr. Hill was pursuing his DVM in St. Kitts, Dr. Cota was finishing up her prerequisite classes to apply for veterinary school as well.
“I really liked the program at Ross, so I suggested rather than wasting time and money applying to U.S. schools, just apply straight to Ross,” says Dr. Hill.
Read Michael and Leilani's story>>
From Shakespeare to surgery
Name: Jennifer Feeney, DVM '94
Position: Chief of Staff, Somerset Veterinary Group
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
During college, lifelong animal lover Dr. Feeney explored other interests and wound up majoring in English. By senior year, she was back on the veterinary path but found herself in catch-up mode.
“I had to go back and take my prerequisites in freshman biology and chemistry. When I applied to veterinary schools, Ross was the most receptive to my situation, and I was excited by the accelerated program.”
Ready to apply? Learn more about RUSVM and start your application.
