For Casey Lavender, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU CVM), the past 4 years have been nothing short of transformative. In March, Lavender was one of only 15 veterinary students nationwide selected for the inaugural cohort of the prestigious Chewy Veterinary Leaders program, an honor that came with a $20,000 scholarship and a suite of resources to support professional and personal growth.
“It’s been surreal,” Lavender shared. “At first, I felt imposter syndrome—questioning if I truly deserved this incredible opportunity. But I’ve realized it’s okay to be proud of your accomplishments. Out of thousands of veterinary students, I was chosen, and that’s something to celebrate.”
The Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program is more than just financial support; it’s an initiative that was designed to nurture leadership, resilience, and community among its recipients. Participants gain access to mentors through Mentor Vet, test preparation resources for the NAVLE, leadership development workshops, and even a trip to Chewy’s headquarters. Lavender described it as a “lifetime of connections” with both current and future leaders in veterinary medicine.
“Thanks to this program, I was able to invest in reliable transportation for externships, fully immerse myself in the veterinary community, and even work toward completing my MBA, which I began before veterinary school,” he said.
The aspiring veterinarian’s passion for hands-on learning has taken him across the country through several externships, each offering unique insights and opportunities for growth. At CityVet in Austin, Texas, under the mentorship of Dr. Shannon VanDyke, he performed numerous surgical procedures, including spays, neuters, entropion corrections, and gastrointestinal biopsies. “Dr. VanDyke and her team treated me with such kindness and helped me feel more confident as a future veterinarian,” Lavender said.
During another externship in Austin, Texas, at Modern Animal, Lavender explored evidence-based medicine with Dr. Stacy Mozisek and Dr. Erika Evanoff Weaver, in his words, ‘falling in love with’ their innovative clinic software, Claude, and the high standard of care they provide.
At Veterinary Emergency Group in Greenville, South Carolina, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, Lavender completed two separate externships that broadened his exposure to emergency medicine, including exotic animal cases. “I learned so much from the incredible doctors and technicians and had a blast throughout the experience,” he shared.
At North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Lavender gained a deeper understanding of emergency care within a tertiary facility where he was able to assist and observe complex scenarios, including ventilator-dependent patients and patients receiving hemodialysis. Lavender stated, “I had the pleasure of working up complex cases along with assisting brilliant faculty and residents that have access to cutting-edge technology that not every hospital is fortunate enough to have.”
Reflecting on nearly four years at MSU CVM, the soon-to-be veterinarian expressed deep gratitude for the faculty, mentors, and peers who have shaped his journey. “It’s been an honor to grow both professionally and personally during my time here,” Lavender said. “MSU CVM has taught me not only veterinary medicine but also the value of transformational leadership and a growth mindset.”
This transformational experience and growth mindset is what led Lavender to develop the inaugural Mississippi State Veterinary Leadership & Wellness Conference, held annually, in 2022 as a co-founder alongside Savannah Lavallee. His inspiration for this conference came from his time spent at the Veterinary Leadership Experience in Post Falls, Idaho as a representative for the Mississippi State CVM along with an archived leadership seminar that he states was “a framework for personal growth and development for club officers developed by alumni, Lloyd Reitz, back in 2006.” Lavender’s experiences both outside of the veterinary college and within the CVM with his interactions with the faculty and staff led him to expand this opportunity to all within the CVM with what he shares as “the hopes of leaving a meaningful and lasting impact on the veterinary community.”
He credited the college’s Shelter Medicine Service with its exceptional dedication to student development. He acknowledged Dr. Jake Shively, in particular, for his personalized mentorship and commitment to fostering resilience and self-discovery among students as a prime example of how Mississippi State CVM’s faculty support and inspire their students and community.
“Dr. Shively’s feedback during our rotation was unlike anything I’ve experienced. His thoughtful, constructive insights truly helped me grow as an individual and a future veterinarian,” Lavender said. “He exemplifies the kind of leader and teacher I aspire to be.”
As Lavender prepares to graduate, he’s excited to continue building on the foundation MSU CVM has provided. Whether pursuing emergency medicine or leadership roles within the profession, Casey’s future is undeniably bright.
“I can’t thank MSU CVM, the Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program, and my mentors enough for their support and belief in me. This journey has been life-changing, and I’m eager to see where it leads me next.”
Casey Lavender is a shining example of embracing opportunity, overcoming doubt, and leading with intention. His story illustrates the pursuit of excellence while remaining grounded in gratitude.
