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Veterinary students bring valuable perspectives to the work and mission of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation (TVMF). Their experiences in the classroom and clinical settings help shape the Foundation’s efforts to support veterinary students, while their aspirations offer a glimpse into the future of the profession. Their commitment to service, leadership, and community reflects the values that continue to strengthen veterinary medicine in Texas.
Each of these students has a unique story, but they all share a passion for making a difference. They are outstanding ambassadors for the Foundation, and the profiles that follow offer a glimpse into their journeys, their goals, and their connection to TVMF—your veterinary Foundation.
Beatriz Ruiz, TTU-SVM Class of 2028
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
If you were an animal, which would you be and why? If I were an animal I would want to be a butterfly. As a person, I aspire to be one that is constantly seeking new knowledge and improvement and I feel that their transformative lifecycle reflects that.
What is your favorite cuisine, travel destination, or TV show? My favorite travel destination so far has been New York during the winter season. The big city lights and Christmas spirit is probably one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. However, as a summer season enthusiast, I must also mention that visiting a beach is just as equally my favorite.
Describe your career goals and/or special interests within veterinary medicine. My professional aspiration is to become a rural mixed-animal practitioner back in my hometown. I want to expand my services into small animal orthopedics and oncology. I’m also interested in collaborating with the local animal shelters and community events to provide owner education and affordable animal care. Within my school, I’ve been part of the companion animal, surgical, and shelter medicine clubs, where I’ve been expanding my knowledge and interests.
Why did you choose to apply for and accept the TVMF Student Representative position? I choose to apply for the student representative position for TVMF because of their philanthropic work and dedication in supporting the veterinary profession to students, DVMs, and families in need. It is a foundation that works to ensure that help is there in time of need whether it is animal health, student emergencies, or disaster reliefs. After learning about them in school, the work and impact the foundation makes, I knew it was a position very worth trying for.
What has been the most rewarding experience with TVMF so far? OR What are looking forward to the most? The impact we get to make as veterinary students within the community is one of the most rewarding parts of being part of TVMF. However, I also enjoy the collaboration we get to build within other clubs and the rest of the school. Just last December, we worked with our student event coordinator and had students decorate Christmas stockings for the Meals on Wheels program during holiday festivities. I also look forward to our committee meetings, where we get to know the updates on the foundation’s impact, set more goals, and learn more about our board of trustee DVMs in the state of Texas. This foundation has impacted my life in ways I never imagined.
What would you say to encourage others to give or get involved with TVMF? Our mission statement is the following, “The Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation is committed to supporting the veterinary profession and our communities in Texas by providing resources, education, and programs for the responsible stewardship of animals.” If this is something that speaks and represents you, then this is the place to form part of.
Kalli Kimble, TTU-SVM Class of 2029
Hometown: Kingsbury, Texas
If you were an animal, which would you be and why? If I could be any animal, I would want to be a dog. Most likely some sort of ranch dog that is well love by a family and has lots of space to run around! That sounds like a pretty great life to me.
What is your favorite cuisine, travel destination, or TV show? Right now, my favorite TV show is The Pitt! As a veterinary student, I love seeing the fast-paced medical decision-making and teamwork.
Describe your career goals and/or special interests within veterinary medicine. I have a special interest in theriogenology and would like to be able to pursue that while building a career as a rural, mixed-animal veterinarian.
Why did you choose to apply for and accept the TVMF Student Representative position? I wanted to be involved with an organization that is genuinely invested in the future of our profession. TVMF doesn’t just support veterinarians, it supports veterinary students, clients, communities, and animals across Texas. I was excited about the opportunity to represent my classmates, learn from leaders in our profession, and help advance a mission that I truly believe in.
What has been the most rewarding experience with TVMF so far? OR What are looking forward to the most? One of the most rewarding parts has been meeting the veterinarians who volunteer their time to make TVMF successful. Seeing how passionate they are about giving back has been incredibly inspiring. I’m especially looking forward to our partnership with Meals on Wheels, where we’ll provide pet care packages to people in our community.
What would you say to encourage others to give or get involved with TVMF? I’d encourage people to learn about everything TVMF does. Whether it’s helping veterinary students, providing emergency grants, or assisting veterinarians and their clients during difficult times, TVMF is there when it’s needed most. Every contribution helps strengthen our profession and the communities we serve.
Anything else you’d like to add! Personal or TVMF-related! If TVMF has taught me anything, it is that the veterinary profession continues to step up and support each other. Get involved, because you never know whose life you could impact!
Aubrey Frazior, TAMU-VMBS Class of 2028
Hometown: Rowlett, Texas
If you were an animal, which would you be and why? If I were an animal, I would definitely be a cat. I could spend all day snoozing in the sunshine, watching birds and other critters through a window, and taking breaks from napping by doing zoomies around the house and pouncing on invisible dots on the wall.
What is your favorite cuisine, travel destination, or TV show? My favorite travel destination has to be Costa Rica! I had the opportunity to do a study abroad program in undergrad, and it was one of the absolute best experiences of my life. So much of the culture and lifestyle there is focused on the environment and living an eco-friendly life. The biodiversity is amazing, and the landscape was gorgeous everywhere we went. One of my favorite memories was doing a night hike through the rainforest to catalog the frogs found in a certain area. The rainforest was an awe-inspiring place filled with lush plants and life during the day, and at night it transformed into a whole new ecosystem of life filled with amphibia and night-dwelling creatures. That semester was a highlight of my travels for sure. Nothing can beat studying for a microbiology or genetics exam in a hammock while listening to a chorus of frogs and birds sing around the patio of your tiny rainforest bungalow! I definitely will go back if I ever get the chance!
Describe your career goals and/or special interests within veterinary medicine. I plan to work as a mixed animal practitioner somewhere in Texas after graduation. I have loved my experiences working with a variety of animals from your typical dogs, cats, and horses to the more unique snakes, ferrets, and turtles and hope to continue this variety once I enter practice. One area I have a special interest in is feline medicine. Historically, cats have been the underdogs in companion animal veterinary medicine, often being overlooked and perceived as not needing the same level of care or avoided due to the often more specialized handling techniques needed for routine care. I want to bring a higher level of attention and care to my feline patients wherever I work and advocate for more advancements in feline veterinary medicine throughout my career.
Why did you choose to apply for and accept the TVMF Student Representative position? Philanthropy has always been a big part of my life. I remember going to the local animal shelters as a kid to walk dogs and socialize the cats with my mom when I was a kid. In undergrad I started working with an organization that helps build mobility ramps for local community members and I loved seeing what impact I could make volunteering just a few hours each weekend. My passion for philanthropy and giving back to my community has remained strong and as soon as I learned about TVMF and its mission in a presentation during Vet School Orientation Week, I knew that I wanted to find a way to be involved. After learning about the TVMF Student Representative position, I knew that this was the opportunity I was looking for. I was interested in becoming a Student Representative because I wanted to be a part of the organization that works to bring veterinarians and their communities together through support and education. TVMF does so much to support veterinary students both at Texas A&M and Texas Tech from scholarship opportunities, Stethoscope gifts, and Veterinary Student Emergency Grants. Through being a TVMF Student Representative, I have been able to be more involved in my service efforts, seeing the different ways that organized medicine as well as local veterinarians can give back to the community around them, improving the lives of the animals of Texas and their people.
What has been the most rewarding experience with TVMF so far? OR What are looking forward to the most? The most rewarding thing about being a part of TVMF so far has been seeing the impact that TVMF has been able to make on my fellow students. From the first day that students walked through the vet school doors, we were gifted with stethoscopes that I see I’ve used every week in clinical skills labs and other classes. I’ve seen students supported in the academic paths through the help of scholarships and sponsorships in summer Research Scholars programs. And some of the most rewarding moments have come from seeing the impacts that the Student Emergency grants have been able to make on students who have had unexpected tragedies and financial hardships threaten their future.
What would you say to encourage others to give or get involved with TVMF? You Should Do it!!
For students: Whether it be as a student representative or through attending the Dinner and Dialogue sessions we host each semester, it will be worth it! Through TVMF I have been able to learn so much about how I can incorporate philanthropy into my veterinary career now as a student and once I start practicing.
For Veterinary professionals and others: TVMF has made an incredible and lasting impact on the veterinary profession in Texas. Through TVMF, I have been able to connect with veterinarians from around the state who share my passion for giving back and supporting the veterinary profession. You never know who you will meet and the impact they will have on you- or vise-a-versa! TVMF has programs that support so many people and veterinarians and its mission statement of being “… committed to supporting the veterinary profession and our communities in Texas by providing resources, education, and programs for the responsible stewardship of animals” is found in everything we do.
Pamela Dominguez, TAMU-VMBS Class of 2029
Hometown: Laredo, Texas
If you were an animal, which would you be and why? If I could be any animal in the world, I would choose to be a chameleon because it symbolizes resilience, creativity, and adaptability. Its beautiful, ever changing colors are inspiring, reminding me that nature is full of incredible artistry and that every living thing is unique in its own way. I admire how a chameleon can adjust to its surroundings while still remaining true to itself, showing that change can be a strength rather than a weakness. The diversity of its colors and unique physical features reflects the amazing variety of animals that make our world so extraordinary.
What is your favorite cuisine, travel destination, or TV show? My favorite destination is anywhere in the mountains because it’s where I feel most connected to both nature and myself. Surrounded by towering peaks, fresh air, and peaceful landscapes, I can take a moment to pause and appreciate the natural beauty that often gets overlooked in everyday life. The mountains remind me to slow down, reflect, and find peace in the simplicity of the world around me. Every visit leaves me feeling refreshed, inspired, and grateful for the incredible beauty our planet has to offer. For me, the mountains are more than a destination they are a place to recharge, reconnect, and find a sense of calm.
Describe your career goals and/or special interests within veterinary medicine. My passion for veterinary medicine comes from my love of helping both animals and the people who care for them. I hope to practice small animal medicine including exotics such as pocket pets and reptiles. My long-term goal is to advocate for minority communities by helping make veterinary care more accessible and affordable for families who may face barriers to receiving it. I believe every pet deserves quality medical care, regardless of its species or its owner’s background or financial circumstances. Through my career, I hope to build trust, improve access to care, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of both animals and the communities they enrich.
Why did you choose to apply for and accept the TVMF Student Representative position? I chose to become involved with the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation because its mission aligns closely with the values that inspire my future career. I am passionate about serving my community through charitable outreach, expanding access to veterinary care, and helping remove barriers such as language and financial challenges that can prevent minority communities from receiving the care their pets deserve. I also believe in supporting and empowering future veterinary professionals by fostering mentorship, education, and opportunities that help the next generation succeed. Being part of a foundation that shares these goals allows me to begin making a meaningful impact while learning from others who are dedicated to service. I see this opportunity as the first step in a lifelong commitment to advocating for animals, uplifting future veterinarians, and creating a future where compassionate, accessible veterinary care is available to every family.
What has been the most rewarding experience with TVMF so far? OR What are looking forward to the most? One of the most impactful experiences I have had with the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation was attending the TVMA Conference. Seeing firsthand how the Foundation supports veterinary research opened my eyes to the direct impact philanthropy can have on advancing veterinary medicine. Learning about the funding opportunities available to veterinary students inspired me because they not only encourage innovative research but also empower the next generation of veterinarians to contribute meaningful discoveries to the profession. It was motivating to be surrounded by individuals who are committed to investing in both scientific progress and the future of the veterinary community. That experience strengthened my desire to be part of an organization that champions education, research, and opportunities that will benefit both future professionals and the animals they serve.
What would you say to encourage others to give or get involved with TVMF? I would encourage others to get involved with the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation because every contribution whether through volunteering, donating, or participating in its programs helps create meaningful change. The Foundation not only supports animal health and welfare but also invests in veterinary students, research, and outreach that makes care more accessible to communities in need. Being involved has shown me how a shared commitment to service can have a lasting impact on both the profession and the people it serves. By joining TVMF, individuals become part of a community that is dedicated to compassion, education, and advancing veterinary medicine. Together, we can help build a stronger future for animals, their families, and the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Anything else you’d like to add! I am incredibly excited to be a part of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation and to contribute to a mission that reflects my own values of service, compassion, and accessibility. I look forward to finding meaningful ways to contribute my own unique perspective and skills while learning from the dedicated individuals who have built such a positive impact within the veterinary community. I am deeply grateful to those who currently serve the Foundation for their commitment to advancing veterinary medicine, supporting future professionals, and improving the lives of animals and the families who love them. It is an honor to join a community that shares my vision of creating a more compassionate, inclusive, and accessible future for veterinary care.