Veterinary student voices are an important asset to the work and mission of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation (TVMF). Their insight on student life is critical for TVMF’s veterinary student support programming. Their outlook on the future of the field and their career goals are important for understanding the trajectory of veterinary medicine. Their passion for helping others and serving their communities exemplifies next-generation philanthropy in our field.

These veterinary students, each with unique backgrounds and personalities, are strong representatives of the Foundation. The following is only a snippet of their lives and commitment to TVMF—your veterinary Foundation.

---

Gabriel Platas, TAMU-CVM Class of 2026

Hometown: Premont, Texas

Pets: One dog, two cats, one tree frog and three fish

For Fun: I am a huge coffee fanatic. I’m not talking about the lattes or the specialty drinks. I mean the authentic taste of espresso or black coffee itself without the added ingredients. I want to fully understand the complexities that make each coffee bean unique. I like to explore the different varieties of coffee beans grown around the world or even from a local roaster.

Favorite Place You’ve Visited: I loved Seattle. For starters, the coffee and food were amazing. Everything was within walking distance, and there was never a time when I felt bored. I’m not usually a big fan of seafood, but I couldn’t pass it up when I was there!

Career Goals and Interests: My end goal is to be specialized in preventive medicine so I may work in public health and emergency management, but I want to begin my veterinary career as a rural mixed-practice veterinarian in South Texas. My interests in school include public health, disaster relief and infectious disease control. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, reading and traveling!

Why TVMF?: I wanted to become a TVMF student representative so I can learn the multiple applications of how to serve my community, work toward the advancement of the veterinary profession and advocate for every animal in Texas. I have a passion for philanthropy and selfless service, and TVMF was one way to integrate that with my future career.

Most Rewarding TVMF Experience So Far: I have had the opportunity to sit on the TVMF Grants Committee and have learned so much from the committee members. Their endless supply of clinical insight and pursuit of being stewards for animals are exactly how I imagined I would want to be as a veterinarian. It has been surreal to be part of a committee that directly impacts TVMA veterinarians and their clients.

---

Taya Schwiening, TTU-SVM Class of 2026

Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas

Pets: Three horses named Asa, Jake and Jolie, and two dogs named Patsy and Khalessi

For Fun: I enjoy baking sourdough bread, hiking in Palo Duro Canyon and visiting coffee shops.

Favorite Place You’ve Visited: My favorite place that I have visited is New Zealand. It is enchanting and filled with life!

Career Goals and Interests: I want to be a majority equine practitioner and mixed animal practitioner who is able to serve my area’s pets and horses. I want to do an equine internship after graduation and then practice in a rural community of Texas following the year-long internship.

Why TVMF?: I feel drawn to philanthropy and felt this position was the perfect space for me to learn how to make an impact on our career and communities early in my career.

Most Rewarding TVMF Experience So Far: The most rewarding experience so far has been being able to serve the community of Amarillo through the LEAP program’s partnership with TTU-SVM.

Why Should Others Get Involved With TVMF?: TVMF works diligently to find ways to positively impact our profession and the communities we serve. Becoming involved with TVMF will fill your own bucket and the buckets of others with thoughtful service and assistance.

---

Sage Chain, TTU-SVM Class of 2027

Hometown: Schertz, Texas

Pets: 10-year-old male toy poodle named Cass and 5-year-old quarter horse mare named Dixie

For Fun: Horseback riding, intramural volleyball and softball. Crime Junkie is my current podcast obsession.

Favorite Place You’ve Visited: I really enjoyed getting to visit Costa Maya on my cruise this past summer.

Career Goals and Interests: I aspire to be a rural mixed animal practitioner with an interest in equine surgery.

Why TVMF?: I chose to become a TVMF student representative to get more involved with philanthropy in the veterinary industry. I also wanted to help get my fellow classmates more involved in the initiatives of TVMF, particularly the LEAP program.

Most Rewarding TVMF Experience So Far: I found attending and participating in the April board meeting to be the most rewarding experience so far. I enjoyed being able to watch leaders in the industry collaborate to fulfill the mission of TVMF. Seeing their dedication was inspiring for me as a new member of the board. This experience has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people in the veterinary community, and I am extremely grateful to have been chosen as Texas Tech’s TVMF student representative.

Why Should Others Get Involved With TVMF?: Becoming involved with TVMF will allow you to gain knowledge and experience about the philanthropic options that are available to us as veterinarians. The options go beyond monetary donations. Being involved will give you the chance to help others in our industry as well as pet owners in our communities.

---

Amanda Mendoza, TAMU-CVM Class of 2027

Hometown: Mission, Texas

Pets: Roper, an 11-year-old Golden Retriever; Beretta, a 10-year-old pit bull terrier; Goose, a 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier; Cookie, a 9-year-old cat; Johnna, the Leopard Gecko (was named John Wayne before we figured out it was a she)

For Fun: I teach 5 a.m. indoor cycling classes, and I’m obsessed with “Reba” reruns. My family usually has a 4-H project going on in with either pigs or rabbits.

Career Goals and Interests: I am interested in general mixed practice or emergency medicine with the goal of eventually owning my own practice. I am married with two children. I graduated from Texas A&M in 2012 and started a career in veterinary management before deciding to apply to the veterinary program. After graduation from veterinary school, I am interested in collaborating with other veterinarians to provide veterinary care at reduced or no-cost for 4-H show animals. I feel like this would give children from lower income families an opportunity to participate in these activities and learn about animal husbandry.

Why TVMF?: I chose to become a TVMF student representative so I could continue participating in service projects as a veterinary student and help promote veterinary philanthropic work.

Most Rewarding TVMF Experience So Far: The most rewarding experience so far was being able to represent TVMF at the stethoscope presentation for the Class of 2028. We got to show the incoming students that they have a strong support system from the veterinary community.

Why Should Others Get Involved With TVMF?: TVMF is truly about finding ways to support your community and the veterinary profession. A donation to TVMF could be the reason a veterinary student is able to continue their education through an emergent situation or the reason an animal owner is able to seek care for their animal without neglecting their own personal needs.

Learn more about TVMF’s student support programs at www.tvmf.org/Student or call TVMF Director of Development Casey McBee at 512-452-4224.