Grateful for our Veterans! | College of Veterinary Medicine

A soldier in camouflage standing at standing next to the War Dog Memorial

Timothy Chamberlain, DVM, MPH
Clinical Instructor of Anatomy
Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army

I retired after 22 years and more trips abroad than I care to remember. We are not defined by our accolades, degrees, nor titles though. Be humble, selfless, but most importantly, live fully because life is short. Hang on and enjoy the ride.

Kayla Ewing
UTCVM c/o 2025
U.S. Air Force
Senior Airman

A female in fatigues faces camera and smiles

2 soldiers in camouflage standing in grassy field with weapons

Cassio Ferrigno, DVM, MS, PhD (right)
Assistant Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery
Brazilian 3rd Army Aviation Battalion

Bonnylee Kennedy, LVMT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia)
U.S. Airforce, SrA
Airborne Battle Management w/ J-STARS

I loved being able to travel the world, see different countries and their cultures that I would never have otherwise had the opportunity to experience. I’ve walked the streets of Dubai and watched the sun rise over Afghanistan, explored Cairo and seen the beauty of Ireland.

I am beyond proud of my service in the military and salute every member of the service;
past, current, and future.

A female soldier in flight uniform stands next to a missile

A man with dark hair and a mustache smiles at the camera while wearing a blue plaid jacket with trees in the background.

Matthew Knight, MSW
PhD Student & Grad Research Asst.
Infantryman

Matthew served active duty in the Army as an infantryman with the 3d Cavalry Regiment at Fort Cavazos and deployed during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support in Afghanistan. He later worked as a Veterans Education Benefits Liaison at Texas Tech University Military and Veterans Programs. He is now a second-year Social Work PhD student and Graduate Research Assistant at the Center for Veterinary Social Work. His research centers on exploring the effects of the human-animal bond on military-related trauma from a biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective.

Zachary Patton, Assoc. Dean Admin. Assistant
United States Air Force
Staff Sergeant (SSgt)

I circumnavigated the earth twice and stayed in a hotel room 3 doors down from one of the members of the band 3 Doors Down while they did a USO show in Japan.

I served at Diego Garcia, a tiny island about 1,200 miles south of India. It’s a military base that less than 1% of the military even gets to go to.

A man in the United States Air Force looks over his shoulder while sitting in the cockpit of a plane

Larissa Rees
UTCVM Web Developer
U.S. Airforce
Airman First Class
Stationed at MacDill AFB, FL

Kate Stanford, DVM, Resident
Sergeant
United States Marines

I got paid to play with dogs all day, and now I get paid to play with dogs all day!

A female with dark hair and glasses wearing fatigues smiles at the camera while kneeling next to a black military working dog.

Hannah Sylaidis, LVMT
UTCVM c/o 2025
U.S. Marine Corps
Corporal

I enlisted in the Marine Corps the summer after I graduated high school. I spent five years in the Marines and achieved the rank of E4 or Corporal before I was medically discharged in 2012. I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and Camp LeJeune, NC.

During my service I was given the opportunity to be a part of many firsts for female Marines. During boot camp I was a member of the first “super” platoon of female recruits in 4th Battalion, Papa company. I was also able to participate in the first all-female Marine Corp Jungle Warfare Survival training in Japan.

The Marine Corp opened many doors for me, and I will be forever proud of my time in service.