Raised on a hobby farm in Missouri, Kyleigh Stagner grew up caring for large animals. Now a first-year vet student at Mizzou, she’s turning family-taught lessons of compassion and hard work into a career dedicated to bridging the gap between animals and their owners.
Kyleigh Stagner is a first-year veterinary student from Moscow Mills, Missouri.
Published 4/9/25
Story contact: Deidra Ashley, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford
From the moment Kyleigh Stagner climbed into the saddle as a child, she was taught that caring for animals is more than a chore — it’s a responsibility. Raised on a hobby farm in Moscow Mills, Missouri, Stagner spent her early years learning to ride horses from her mother and grandfather while her father taught her how to care for their small cattle herd. Every lesson — whether it was adjusting her posture in the saddle or studying a cow’s subtle behavior — was rooted in compassion, respect and responsibility.
“Everyone in my family paid such close attention to detail and had a very clear understanding of what a person’s role is in an animal’s life,” Stagner said. “They taught me how to listen, how to communicate and how to recognize what an animal needs, even when they can’t say it out loud.”
Those lessons became more than just childhood teachings; they shaped Stagner’s future and led toward a career in veterinary medicine.
“I’ve always been drawn to bridging the gap between animals and humans,” she said. “Veterinary medicine is interesting to me because it isn’t just about diagnosing and treating patients — it’s also about having the empathy and communication skills to support and educate their owners. That’s what drives me.”
Now a first-year student at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Stagner has found a place where she feels at home. She’s immersed herself in activities, serving as a CVM student ambassador and participating in multiple clubs, including the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Club, the Theriogenology Club, and the Emergency Medicine Club. She’s also a member of the Foal Team, where she gains hands-on experience caring for newborn foals.
“Being involved is what keeps me going,” she said. “It fuels me and motivates me to keep pushing through the tough parts of vet school.”
She said that sense of community — both in and outside the classroom — is what makes Mizzou so special.
“No matter where I go, I’m surrounded by people who care,” she said. “Mizzou’s faculty are approachable and eager to teach, and there’s such a strong sense of community. I’ve gone through some lows, but Mizzou has helped me get back to the highs.”
As a student ambassador, Stagner is committed to helping future veterinary students see themselves at Mizzou. “I love talking to pre-vet students because I was in their shoes not too long ago,” she said. “I remember being so nervous and having a million little questions. Until you talk to a real person, you don’t really know what life as a vet student is like.”
Whether it’s sharing practical advice — like finding time to walk your dog between classes — or offering reassurance, Stagner said her goal is simply to make the process less intimidating. “I tell people, ‘Yes, vet school is challenging, and there will be hard days. But you’ll also realize that you’re capable of so much more than you ever thought, and there are so many people here who want to help you succeed.”
Although Stagner once thought she might follow her childhood dream of working with horses and cattle, her clinical experiences have drawn her toward small animal emergency and critical care. “I love the fast pace and the adrenaline of not knowing what’s going to come through the door next,” she said. “And I can’t wait to get hands-on experience with all the state-of-the-art technology at Mizzou. It’s exciting to know that when I graduate, I’ll have those skills in my back pocket.”
Graduation is still a few years away, but Stagner said her ultimate plan is to return to Springfield, Missouri. It’s where she met her husband and has already built strong mentorship connections with small animal practice owners.
“Coming to Mizzou is one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Stagner said. “It’s not just about the education — it’s about the people who are here, the support and the opportunities. I’m proud to be a part of it.”