Dr. Taylor Opel has a unique distinction on UT’s campus; she is a vet-vet.
Opel, who is a native of California, served in the Army for 8 years as a military veterinarian. She is currently pursuing her masters’ in Veterinary Public Health at UT. Opel, who chose to become a vet because of her passion for animals, said she was able to combine a career she is passionate about with her interest in travel through the military.
Opel said her career as an Army vet has enabled her to live in many places, including Puerto Rico.
“It (living in Puerto Rico) was like being on vacation for 3 years,” she said.
In the future, Opel said she hopes to serve in a teaching position within the army and live overseas again. Opel said she would be interested in serving in Germany or Japan.
“The military is excellent for traveling,” she said. “I want to see and do as many things as I can.”
Opel’s veterinary career started out unexpectedly. Although she knew she wanted to become a vet, she originally wanted to teach horseback riding. Opel’s mentors, however, encouraged her to pursue veterinary school.
After graduating from UC Davis with her undergraduate degree in animal science, Opel discovered a military scholarship program to help her finance veterinary school. Opel said once she was accepted into the army, she was required to make a three-year commitment to the program. After her first three years, Opel chose to stay.
“I worked with amazing, amazing soldiers,” she said.
Opel earned her doctor of veterinary medicine at Washington State University. She said her work has included food inspection for humans and learning about how therapy animals can benefit veterans. The Army is the only branch of the military that has veterinarians. She said dogs are most commonly used as therapy animals and they are supplied by the Air Force.
Although therapy animals are becoming more accepted for treatment, Opel said more research needs to be done. She said the use of therapy animals is currently limited in the military.
“It’s becoming more and more recommended,” Opel said. ” I hope that they can be fully available for active duty military.
Opel and her husband have two dogs, two cats and fish at home. She said her goal as a veterinarian is to keep animals healthy and living as long as they can for their families.
Because Opel has had many unexpected opportunities through the military, she encourages others to be open to trying new things and seeing where they lead.
“Be flexible and open to new doors and new ideas,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of unexpected, amazing opportunities.”
The UT College of Veterinary Medicine will be recognizing its students, faculty members and staff who have served in the military on Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11.
“We’ve had several veterans come here through the years,” Sandra Harbison, the college’s director of media relations, said.
