Greetings!
Many of you probably thought I would give one last radiology pep-talk. NOPE! Today is about reflection and memories of your amazing journey. My goal is to share your class with everyone here today, perhaps even yourselves. First, let me congratulate you.
Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. You worked long and hard. Really hard. You’ve earned where you sit today. You are truly an amazing class of young veterinarians. Your success is limited only by your imagination. Let’s give out a huge shout for this incredible achievement!
The veterinary profession is essential.
Remember the very first days? COVID. Masks and face shields. No one had experienced a pandemic, and there you were, beginning veterinary school! What a way to start!! It is a huge credit to everyone that we were able to continue and persevere. You showed resilience. What we learned, what became forever embedded within us is how essential the veterinary profession is to society.
Everyone, let that set in for a moment because it is remarkedly relevant to graduation today.
Fittingly, last Saturday, April 27, was World Veterinary Day. The theme was: “Veterinarians are essential health workers.” This was a worldwide celebration of the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals, people, and the environment.
Class of 2024, you have now entered the veterinary profession.
What is a profession and what does it mean? A profession is a calling requiring specialized knowledge with long and intensive academic preparation.
Entering this profession is a life-changing accomplishment. Your status as a doctor of veterinary medicine commands respect.
And with respect comes responsibility. Responsibility to your patients and their guardians.
To those your work with. Your circle of friends and family. Your community. And to your profession.
It also entails conforming to the standards of a profession known as “professional behavior.” In a few minutes you will be taking our veterinary oath. This will be impactful, and memorable.
You have become part of the “Caring Profession.” You chose this career because of an innate sense of obligation to care for animals. I say innate because I truly believe there is something special about those who take this path. Past WSU Dean Leo Bustad termed this the “Human-Animal Bond.”
Your concern and mindfulness extends beyond animals. It applies to human beings, to our environment, and to our society.
Although we are a specialized profession with unique issues, it is important to recognize and embrace that we are a part of many communities. Your class and your contemporary colleagues hold the key to promoting, advancing and respecting our profession.
A quote: “We get the unique opportunity to help both humans and animals in our profession, so never lose sight of that! Continue to be a lifelong learner and always lead with empathy. Remember, it costs zero dollars to be kind!” That is a powerful quote from one of your classmates, Tori W.
It has not been a solo journey. We all arrived here with the help of others. Think about those who fostered your veterinary career. Be a mentor. Find happiness in giving back to those who aspire to follow you. Feel goodness and warmth through giving. This year the CVM awarded well over one million dollars in scholarships,
made possible by generous people who believe in this college and our profession. Perhaps your class would be interested in establishing a scholarship someday. Let me know. I will help you. I am serious.
Who is this class of 2024? Who are you? Your class is made up of a diverse group of individuals. The commonality was the dream of becoming a veterinarian. You came from everywhere! Seventeen states, Canada, and other parts of the world.
At one end of the spectrum, some of you are first generation college graduates. Others come from a family of veterinarians. Siblings and second generation. Incredibly, one classmate is the 15th veterinarian in her family with a 16th on the way!
Your class is known throughout the college and in particular the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for collegiality and teamwork. You take pride in helping each other. I can’t think of a more complimentary distinction.
Now, I would like to share some of your thoughts and a few of mine. (Feel free to whoop it up if you recognize these quotes.)
“Make time for the things that make you happy. Whether it’s painting, playing sports, or calling family, make your well-being a priority or else you will run out of time in your day.”
“Learn to celebrate the little victories, no matter how small.”
“Take a day off once in a while. Re-group, do something you love. Veterinary medicine may be what you do, but it doesn’t completely define who you are.”
These are your thoughts made during year two and are as poignant now as they were during school. They are a realization and a reminder that a fulfilling life is one of balance.
A couple of fun quotes from your class:
“I learned to be more like dogs—to stop and enjoy the little things and people along the way.”
“The cat is faster and has sharper teeth and nails than you do. It has no code of ethics or considerations for its own future. In a fair fight, the cat will win.”
This reminds me of a snippet from a James Harriot story where James and Tristan are driving along with a cat in a box. “‘She’s out, Jim! The bugger’s out!’ Well, this was great. Anybody who has driven a car with a hysterical cat hurtling around the interior will appreciate my situation.”
Many of you know of James Harriot, the famous veterinarian and author. His books 100% influenced my career choice and helped me realize who I wanted to be. While I never realized my dream of being a country vet, I have never forgotten why I became a veterinarian. Re-reading his books during COVID rejuvenated my joy and appreciation of our profession.
I offer this as a gentle reminder of the power of reflection when times are not what they could be. James Harriot is my ultimate reboot button. Daily refreshes are usually through music.
For fun, I wanted to share a few tidbits you may or may not know about your classmates. This took a bit of sleuth work and I hope at least some offer some intrigue.
Did you know? One classmate played NCAA Division 1 football as a placekicker, kicking field goals and PAT (point after touchdown). You have a classmate who is a marksman with back-to-back National Rifle League championships, among others awards. Another attended undergraduate education as a scholarship women’s wrestler. (There’s a) 50-kilometer trail runner in your class. One enjoys embroidery, with a twist! She uses Olsen-Hager needle holders! Another is looking forward to restoring a 1920 Model T Ford, a hobby after my own heart. One classmate makes old rodeo rope art, learned from his artisan father. One classmate has made it her goal to preserve generational family recipes, an arduous task as all recipes must be transcribed from memory. Some of your classmates have served in the military, including service as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) expert. How fitting that today is National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day!!
Today is May 4, 2024. You are graduating on the 125th year anniversary of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine! How awesome is that? It is unforgettable!
You share today with: The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby! Star Wars Day! International Respect for Chickens Day (Macie, that’s for you!) Naked Gardening Day! And tomorrow begins National Pet Week, May 5-11.
It’s nearly time to say goodbye, for now. But we will meet again. You will come to realize that our profession is relatively small. Be assured we will remember you. The caveat: We may not remember all of you by name. So don’t be shy to re-introduce yourself. This will alleviate that awkwardness of the dreaded name tag glance!
But on a more serious note, it is important to us that you know we will always be here to help. You know how to reach us.
I would like you all to take a moment and look around at your classmates. Appreciate all those around you.
All of this incredible positive energy! This is the last time you will all be seated together—maybe even the first time!
Thank you. I want to thank you for today. It means more to me than you could possibly know. Somehow, we connected. We connected because you cared, and you engaged. Thank you for letting me be part of your education.
Some of you know that your class is responsible for delaying my retirement! The first few radiology rotations were so positively impactful, so joyous, I realized I couldn’t leave your class midstream. I vividly remember one day in the radiology control room telling a small group of you that I was going to “graduate” with your class of 2024.
Well, here we are! And it’s the fortieth anniversary of my graduation from vet school!
To the class of 2024, a huge dream has come true. Now it’s time for new dreams! Off to the “Great Wide Open.” I would like to leave you with this simple thought: Strive for excellence but appreciate perfection is not always possible.
Allow me one last quote: “I’m proud of you all. Remember your worth, and your friends when you’re famous.”
Henry, I couldn’t have said that any better! My best wishes to all of you, always.
John Mattoon ’84 DVM
Clinical professor, WSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Read more about Mattoon and other WSU veterinarian alumni.