Class of 2026: Kaitlynn Noone’s path to equine veterinary medicine

Name: Kaitlynn Noone

College: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Major/minor: Dairy science with an animal and poultry sciences equine minor; Honors Laureate Diploma

Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina

Plans after graduation: I will be a member of the inaugural class of Clemson University’s Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, the first vet school in South Carolina. During the first and second summers of vet school, I will be finishing my master’s of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a concentration in applied animal behavior and welfare. After graduation I plan to move back to my family's farm on John's Island, SC and open a clinic.

What are the most proud of during your college career?
I’m most proud of the balance and consistency I’ve maintained throughout my college career. I came into Virginia Tech with only three credits and entered a major I had no experience in, but I challenged myself to take on rigorous semesters, often exceeding 18 credits, while also taking classes every summer and winter. This work will allow me to graduate in three years with a major, minor, and Honors Laureate diploma. At the same time, I stayed heavily involved outside the classroom, taking on leadership roles, participating in multiple clubs, and contributing to advancing research. I also made it a priority to maintain balance by continuing to ride my two horses a few times a week off campus. I was accepted to both the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine with a significant recruitment scholarship and the Clemson University College of Veterinary Medicine with a scholarship as a member of the inaugural class. Overall, I’m most proud of my ability to manage a demanding workload while staying involved, maintaining consistency, and fully committing to my goals.

What extracurricular activities impacted your college experience the most?
I’ve really enjoyed serving as an ambassador for the School of Animal Science. It’s been incredibly rewarding to share my love for the program with prospective students and their families. I've also enjoyed writing cards to prospective students as a way to help them feel welcomed and supported. I’ve loved being able to support both prospective and current students with things like schedule planning and finding extracurriculars that fit their interests.

Favorite class and why?
My favorite class has been Applied Equine Behavior. Through this course, I've learned about topics such as herd dynamics, natural equine social interactions, and evidence-based methods for modifying behavior. I believe that the knowledge I have gained from this class will allow me to be a better horse owner and future equine vet.

Favorite Hokie memory or moment:
My favorite Hokie moment was working with a prospective student I met during a housing tour while serving as a Student Leader. She asked me a wide range of questions about Virginia Tech, from housing to majoring in animal and poultry science, and I was able to share my experience and help her navigate her decision. Later, I saw her again at an admissions event while I was serving as an ambassador, and she told me she had decided to commit to Virginia Tech to major in animal & poultry science. Over the summer, I stayed in touch with her, answering questions about move-in and helping her build her schedule. The following semester, she ended up in one of my animal science classes. Seeing her go from a prospective student to a classmate was incredibly rewarding and made me realize the impact I can have in helping others find their place at Virginia Tech.

What internships/summer jobs did you do while at Virginia Tech, and how did they impact your college experience and career choice? 
During my time at Virginia Tech, I completed several internships that helped shape my career goals. I interned with an equine sports medicine veterinarian, where I observed and assisted with lameness evaluations, diagnostic imaging, and intra-articular injections. This experience reinforced my interest in equine sports medicine and showed me the level of precision and decision-making involved in performance horse care. I also interned with Animal Rehab & Fitness of the Lowcountry, where I assisted a veterinarian with rehabilitation therapies such as TENS, Class IV laser therapy, PEMF, and physical activity programs. This experience introduced me to the rehabilitation side of veterinary medicine and sparked my interest in incorporating rehab into my future career. Additionally, I gained experience at Island Equine Clinic, where I was exposed to a wide range of equine care, including preventative medicine, emergency cases, and diagnostics. During this internship, I even got to help perform an equine enucleation. These experiences broadened my clinical understanding and helped me compare different areas of veterinary medicine. Overall, these internships helped me confirm my goal of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, while also shaping my specific interest in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation.

How have you grown since your first-year at VT?
Since my first year at Virginia Tech, I've grown significantly both academically and personally. I've developed stronger study strategies and learned how to adapt them based on the course, which has made me more efficient and capable of managing a rigorous workload. I've also become more involved through roles such as becoming a Student Leader of the Honors College, an ambassador for the School of Animal Sciences, a co-founder of a run club, and a co-author of a manuscript submitted for publication. These roles have helped me build communication skills, grow as a leader, and make a more meaningful impact within my community.

What are you most thankful for and describe why?
I’m most thankful for the support I’ve received from advisors and professors throughout my undergraduate experience. They have consistently been willing to offer guidance, answer questions, and provide advice. I’m also very grateful for the facilities and resources available, which have allowed me to get involved in a wide range of clubs and hands-on experiences. These opportunities have helped me apply what I've learned in the classroom to practical, real-world situations.

How did undergrad research or independent study courses impact you?
Starting in the fall of my sophomore year, I was given the opportunity to work on a research project that used a novel artificial intelligence method to track and analyze precise rider and equine movements. Recently, this work was submitted for publication as a manuscript, on which I am a co-first author. Through this experience, I learned how innovation can be used to better understand complex biological and performance-related systems.

What role did scholarships play in making your education possible or in enhancing your undergrad experience?

Scholarships, including the Dairy Science Annual Fund and the Pratt Animal Nutrition Scholarship, helped reduce financial stress, allowing me to focus more on my academics and extracurricular opportunities. Because of this support, I was able to take advantage of hands-on experiences, involvement in student organizations, and other opportunities that enhanced my overall undergraduate experience.