Veterinary shadowing contest opens to high school students
Aspiring veterinarians in Colorado can gain real-world insight through the 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest
Vet Set Go in partnership with Antech Diagnostics has launched a veterinary shadowing contest for high school students, marking the first year the program is being offered. The winner of the 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest will have the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian at West Ridge Animal Hospital in Greeley, Colorado this summer.
The contest is open to high school students aged 16 to 18 years. Entries are being accepted through July 11, 2025.
The selected student will have the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian and their team at West Ridge Animal Hospital on July 30, 2025.1 The winner will also have the chance to meet Tammi Lesser, BASc, interim president and senior vice president of strategic marketing and commercial support of Antech Diagnostics, North America. Lesser will share her career journey from kennel assistant through credentialed veterinary technician to her current leadership role.2
“Vet Set Go works everyday to encourage future veterinarians across the country to make their dreams come true and this contest is here to jump start your shadowing efforts,” Vet Set Go stated in its contest guidelines.1
To enter, applicants must submit a personal statement of 300 words or less explaining why they want to become a veterinarian, sharing any steps they have taken to pursue that goal. According to the contest guidelines, students may consider addressing the following1,2:
- Why they want to become a veterinarian
- Why they love animals
- What they have done to get animal experience
- What they have done to help animals
- What they have done to gain experience or knowledge about the science of animals
- What they have done to learn more about veterinarians
Applicants should also submit a photo of themselves helping animals or spending time with one. All entries must be submitted by a student, parent, or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age.
Inside West Ridge Animal Hospital
In 1978, West Ridge became the first hospital in the Northern Colorado area to receive American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation.3 To date, the hospital stands as the only full service AAHA-accredited hospital in Greeley and has recently attained the highest level of AAHA accreditation available.
The hospital offers preventive care and wellness examinations, illness examinations, urgent/emergency care, exotic pet care, and traditional and special medical boarding.
They also offer internal medicine services, such as digital radiology, blood transfusions, ultrasound, and more. Surgical and specialty services, including advanced orthopedic surgery, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and dental services are also offered. Moreover, the hospital provides alternative medicine. This includes acupuncture and veterinary orthopedic manipulation, cold laser therapy, rehabilitation, and fitness services.
References
- 2025 Become a Vet Shadowing Contest – Colorado. Vet Set Go. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.vetsetgo.com/about/2025-colorado-shadowing-contest
- Win a shadowing opportunity this summer. News release. Vet Set Go. June 12, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.vetsetgo.com/community/win-a-shadowing-opportunity-this-summer
- About our hospital. West Ridge Animal Hospital. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.wrah.net/about-us
