Third-year veterinary student and Miss Southern Missouri delegate Tina Rossi has been busy this semester balancing a preceptorship in Florida with her U.S. Army responsibilities, community service and clinical learning. Follow along for a day in her life.
Published 4/1/25
Story contact: Deidra Ashley, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos courtesy Tina Rossi
Tina Rossi is no stranger to multitasking. The third-year University of Missouri veterinary student, U.S. Army second lieutenant, and Miss Southern Missouri delegate recently completed a preceptorship in Florida — gaining hands-on experience in clinical care while continuing her military service and leading a personal mission to raise awareness about sexual violence in the armed forces. Follow along for a glimpse into a day in her busy, purpose-driven life.
6:00 a.m. Wake up and eat breakfast
After a restful night, I wake up early to start my day. I make a quick but nutritious breakfast, usually something like oatmeal with fresh fruit, which gives me the energy I need for my busy schedule. I take a few moments to scroll through my phone, then quickly review my notes for the day’s clinic tasks and events.
6:54 a.m. Arrive at the clinic
I pull into the clinic parking lot, feeling excited to start the day’s work. Today, I’m wearing my red scrubs to help raise awareness for heart disease, a leading cause of death in women. I greet my colleagues and prepare for my first case of the day.
8:00 a.m. Treating a dog fight wound
My first task is treating a dog that has sustained a severe wound from a dog fight. We used fluorescent light therapy to help this pup heal, and over the course of the week, I devised a new bandaging method that would better hold the bandages in place between treatments. It’s moments like these when I feel like I’m making a real difference.
9:30 a.m. Morning rounds with the doctors
I spend the next part of the morning rounding with the doctors and observing various cases. During this preceptorship, I got to perform more than 50 fecal and skin cytology tests. It was a great chance to learn more about common procedures in veterinary practice that we don’t get as much practice with during school. I enjoy every second of it, soaking in new information and asking lots of questions.
12:30 p.m. Lunch and community service outreach
At lunch, I take a moment to reflect on my dual role as Miss Southern Missouri and a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. I’ve been able to merge those passions into a community service initiative focused on ending sexual violence in the military, which has been a deeply inspiring experience. During my time in Florida, I had the privilege of visiting multiple naval bases, including NAS Whiting Field and NAS Pensacola, where I spoke with new officers about sexual violence awareness. It was especially meaningful to engage with people who are just beginning their aviation training — many of whom had never received training on how to respond to sexual violence. I felt proud to educate them on these crucial issues, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to handle such situations effectively.
2:00 p.m. A special case: Luna the kitten
Back at the clinic, I’m introduced to a stray kitten who had been brought in by a client. This kitten was abandoned and attacked by her mother. I couldn’t help but adopt her (and name her Luna). I’m excited to watch her grow!
4:00 p.m. Taking a break and heading to the beach
After work, I decide to take my dog to the beach. He loves to fetch balls in the water and dig in the sand, and it’s a great way to decompress. On this particular day, the beach is full of blue jellyfish — Porpita porpita. These hydrozoans are a rare sight, so it’s cool to get to see them up close.
7:00 p.m. Unwind and go to bed
After a fulfilling day, I head home to unwind. I cuddle up with my dog, Samson, and relax for the evening. Tomorrow will bring new challenges and experiences, and I can’t wait to do it all over again.