Matilda, originally from Bristol, Tennessee, grew up on a beef cattle farm that was home to a diverse collection of animals, including chickens, ducks, Boer goats, cats, and dogs. During her middle school years, she discovered a particular passion for equine care, eventually acquiring her own horse, which still resides at her parents’ property today.
Her path to veterinary medicine was profoundly influenced by the regular visits of veterinarians to their family farm. These professionals became her earliest mentors, allowing her to observe and learn as they treated their cattle and horses. As a curious farm kid, she took full advantage of these opportunities, asking questions and absorbing knowledge about animal health and care. This early exposure to veterinary medicine in action laid the foundation for her future career aspirations.
Matilda began volunteering at a horse barn during middle school, where she developed a deeper understanding of equine care and management. In high school when she began shadowing a large animal veterinarian, an experience that continued throughout her college years during winter breaks and summers. She also shadowed at a few small animal hospitals.
Her academic journey led her to Lincoln Memorial University, where she completed her undergraduate studies in 2021. She is currently pursuing her veterinary degree at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and is expected to graduate in 2025.
During this externship, Matilda is particularly excited about the opportunity to focus purely on learning and skill development, free from the pressures of board exams and clinical rotations. She looks forward to gaining hands-on experience and observing a variety of surgical procedures.
As a first-time visitor to Las Vegas, Matilda is eager to explore it’s outdoor attractions. Her planned adventures include visits to the Hoover Dam and Death Valley National Park.
In her free time, Matilda enjoys horseback riding, reading, knitting, crocheting, and hiking.
Motivated by the veterinarians who inspired her, Matilda aims to give back to her community by providing the same level of care and mentorship that shaped her career path.
