McKenna Brinning

Growing up on my family’s diversified farm with swine, cattle and row-crops, I quickly learned my skills are best spent in the barns working with the animals. This is why I decided to get my bachelor’s degree in animal science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University. While in veterinary school, I have gained insight into the veterinary field through part time jobs at vet clinics, club activities, and two veterinary internships in bovine and swine medicine. I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge in the field and do everything I can to gain more experience. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian in rural Iowa. I want to help producers feed the world with a safe and wholesome product, through preventing disease and effectively practicing herd health medicine.

Being involved in the community and volunteering in a variety of ways is also going to be an important part of my career. Growing up, I was very involved in organizations like 4-H, FFA and livestock judging on the county, state, and national levels. It is organizations like these that developed and shaped me into the person who I am today. I look forward to volunteering at county fairs, local animal shelters, and all levels of livestock shows. Communication is vital in today’s world and organizations and events like these are key in developing skills in youth, and success in whatever path they choose. Along those lines, the mentors that I have had through my life made a dramatic impact in helping me get where I am today. I plan to have the same impact on future veterinarians and youth in this field and to teach them my favorite quote: “do something every day that scares you.” Furthermore, I want to be an active member in organizations like AABP, AASV, AVMA in order to advocate for food animal medicine.

Lastly, I am passionate about advocating for agriculture and want to educate consumers in my role as a mixed animal practitioner. I will be the “expert in the field” and want to use my experiences of social media training and advocating to represent the food animal medicine industry well. Building lasting relationships, meeting new people, and striving for excellence while caring for animals is the perfect fit for my passion of wanting to be a rural Iowa veterinarian in a mixed-animal clinic. Maintaining balance is essential to a fulfilling, life-long career. I know I will always be committed to family, faith, and my community. By continuing to refine these attributes through my life, I believe I will be successful in the veterinary field.