Published on
Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford, courtesy Evvie Rothlisberger
Second-year veterinary student Evvie Rothlisberger is continuing a family tradition at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She is the third member of her family to attend Mizzou, following her father, Ben, and her sister, Rachel. Growing up in a household where veterinary medicine and agriculture are a way of life, Rothlisberger developed a passion for large animal medicine that she is now pursuing as a second-year student.
Read on for a Q&A with Rothlisberger about her Mizzou CVM experience.
What inspired you to pursue veterinary medicine and follow your family’s legacy?
Veterinary medicine is home to me. Growing up the daughter of a veterinarian, dinner table conversations were just as likely to be about a difficult calving or a tricky diagnosis as they were about school or family plans. I learned early on that being a vet isn’t just about treating animals — it’s about showing up for people, for communities and for the livelihoods that depend on healthy animals.
How did your childhood experiences in agriculture shape your perspective on veterinary medicine?
My work in the meat science side of agriculture gave me an even deeper respect for that connection. I saw the hard work, dedication and responsibility it takes to produce safe, quality food and I wanted to be part of supporting that system from the ground up. For me, helping animals is inseparable from helping the people who care for them.
Choosing veterinary medicine wasn’t a sudden decision. It’s the life I’ve grown up in, the work I admire and the way I know I can make the biggest difference for both animals and the people who depend on them.
Why did you choose Mizzou for your veterinary education?
Mizzou, and specifically the CVM, have always felt like part of my story. I’m the third person in my family to go here, and I grew up hearing stories, visiting campus and feeling the pride that comes with being a Tiger. Those visits and memories made the university feel like home long before I applied.
Choosing Mizzou for my veterinary education allowed me to honor my family’s tradition while also carving out the perfect path for my own career.
How are you involved at the CVM outside of classes?
I serve as president of the Mule Team, where I help represent the college by taking the mules out on campus and participating in private events for the community. In addition, I work in the equine ICU at the Veterinary Health Center, caring for hospitalized animals and supporting their treatment and recovery. I’m also an active member of several student organizations, including the Bovine Club and the Theriogenology Club.
What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
Outside of veterinary school, I spend much of my time with my horses and other animals. I ride and board my horses at a small facility outside of Columbia where I also help look after the other animals at the facility.
My family also raises miniature cattle and miniature donkeys, and I’ve been fortunate to bring a small part of that passion with me to school, with a couple of my cows living at the farm.
What are your goals after graduation?
After finishing veterinary school, I plan to start my career in private practice to gain valuable experience and refine my skills. Ultimately, I hope to return home and serve as a large animal veterinarian, caring for both horses and food animals in the community that shaped me.
My dream is to one day open my own large animal practice — a place where I can combine my love for animals with my desire to support local producers. Growing up around livestock and horses has given me a deep appreciation for the people and animals in agriculture, and I hope my practice can be a trusted resource that strengthens the health and well-being of both.
What has your veterinary journey meant to you so far?
I was accepted into veterinary school at just 19 years old, which was both an exciting and humbling experience. Leaving my friends and close-knit community to begin this journey was intimidating, but it pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. I am incredibly grateful for the friends and support system I have found since starting school, and of course, for my family, whose belief in me has made all the difference.