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Gary (No Bianca this week) gets to know Dr. Hayley Clark during this interview. Haley is a 2024 University of Glasgow veterinary graduate and the newest member of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors. Their conversation starts with an honest look at childhood, the role pets can play as stability, and how she created a path to eventual vet school admission with out having experience in veterinary clinics prior to obtaining an undergrad degree.

They dig into that part of her story: applying to vet school, getting turned down twice, and doing the hard recalibration. Haley walks us through how veterinary assistant work in general practice and ER, plus specialty exposure like ophthalmology and internal medicine support, helped her build skills and earn stronger letters of recommendation. If you’re navigating the vet school application process, reapplying, or mentoring someone who is, this part hits home.

Haley had never travelled internationally prior to saying "yes" to vet school abroad. She explains why the University of Glasgow made sense. A main factor being cost compared with many out-of-state US programs, plus the day-to-day realities of student life and curriculum differences in UK veterinary school. We also talk SAVMA involvement abroad. What mentorship looked like to her while far from home, and how her early connection to Banfield evolved from “a good first job” into a bigger conversation about support systems and career growth.

Thanks for listening.

Hayley Clark, BS, BVMS on Linked In

University of Glasgow School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine

Student AVMA (SAVMA)

Washington State Veterinary Medical Association

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Gary Marshall, DVM = @it.might.get.weird
Bianca Plowman = @bianca_plowman & Sara Rae = @its_sara1231

https://itmightgetweird.buzzsprout.com/

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Vet school does not slow down just because life gets complicated, it speeds up. We sit down for a catch-up that turns into an honest look at what it feels like to juggle stacked exams, a research project that keeps shifting, and the pressure of prepping a conference poster while planning a big trip to Japan. If you have ever stared at your to do list and thought, I am fine, while absolutely not feeling fine, you will recognize this rhythm immediately.

From there, we swap travel stories that are equal parts inspiring and humbling: Rome in brutal heat, tour days that test your patience, and the surreal weight of standing inside centuries of history. Then we head north to the Italian Dolomites for hut to hut hiking, unforgettable food, and one very practical lesson for Americans ordering coffee abroad. These moments are fun, but they also connect back to professional life in veterinary medicine: pacing matters, recovery matters, and flexibility is a skill you build the hard way.

Post vet school planning is also discussed. This includes rotating internships, the veterinary match timeline, externships, and how specialty interests can change when you connect with passionate educators. Then Gary closes with a tease about a trip to the local shelter. Is a new companion coming to the Marshall household?

Subscribe for more conversations on vet school, veterinary careers, and real life outside of the daily grind. Please share this episode with a classmate and leave us a review. What topic do you want us to tackle next?

Your ratings, reviews and feedback are always appreciated. Please share us with your friends

Gary Marshall, DVM = @it.might.get.weird
Bianca Plowman = @bianca_plowman & Sara Rae = @its_sara1231

https://itmightgetweird.buzzsprout.com/

Click here to text us your questions & comments.

This episode Highlights Ms. Cayden Smith. She is the current National SAVMA President-Elect, and a current 3rd year veterinary student at Long Island University in New York. This is a continuation of Season 3 : Episode 2 focusing on SAVMA President Spencer Stelly. Spencer hangs in there for much of this episode, but Cayden is the focus. Cayden shares her path to Vet School, and her and Bianca compare notes as they begin their 3rd years at different schools. Gary has known both Spencer and Cayden through his role as AVMA Vice President and the connections developed while working with SAVMA and attending Veterinary Leadership Experience. These episodes reveal paths to student leadership, and a little of the time and energy student leaders commit to their roles. Spoiler: they both claim that although it's a lot, they wouldn't change a thing! Enjoy getting to know Cayden during this episode. But if you haven't listened to S3 : E2 yet, please listen to that first. They are both great episodes but best listened to in order. Thanks for listening.

SAVMA = @studentavma

SAVMA Symposium = @savmasymposium2027

Veterinary Leadership Experience = @veterinaryleadershipinstitute

Spencer Stelly = @spencer_stelly

Louisiana State University SAVMA = @lsusavma

Cayden Smith = @caydengraace

Long Island University SAVMA = @liulcvm.savma

Your ratings, reviews and feedback are always appreciated. Please share us with your friends

Gary Marshall, DVM = @it.might.get.weird
Bianca Plowman = @bianca_plowman & Sara Rae = @its_sara1231

https://itmightgetweird.buzzsprout.com/