During her time at Colorado State University's DVM program, Dr. McDaniel's career goals underwent significant changes. While she initially focused on equine medicine, she developed a strong interest in small animal care and oncology through her work as a veterinary assistant at CSU's Flint Animal Cancer Center.
After exploring a variety of both small animal and equine opportunities throughout veterinary school, her love for horses and working outdoors ultimately determined her career path. This experience of having to navigate her own changing interests and ultimately finding her passion in equine ambulatory practice has inspired her to mentor students facing similar challenges. She encourages her students to explore all aspects of veterinary medicine that interest them and emphasizes that it's never too late to change course in pursuit of one's true calling.
After graduation, Dr. McDaniel jumped right into equine general practice and emergency care. Her days now consist of driving between farms, translating into a lot of time spent driving down the road. Her favorite days are when she brings high school or pre-veterinary students along for the ride, filling the time between calls with stories of veterinary adventures, admission advice, and career insights. Sharing her passion for veterinary medicine and helping the next generation of veterinarians achieve their dreams is the highlight of her career.
Dr. McDaniel recognizes that every applicant brings a distinctive set of skills and experiences to the table. She takes pride in working closely with each individual to demonstrate how their presence will enrich both the veterinary school and the profession as a whole. She is a firm believer in the importance of diversity in veterinary medicine and is dedicated to helping her students highlight how their life experiences add value to the field.