Virginia to Alaska: Gift supports rural veterinary education
Dr. Kristin Terrio and her team at VCA Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia, with their certificate on July 23, 2026.
Sept. 15, 2026
When Sue Carlton made a generous gift to Nanook VetServe to help support veterinary education and outreach, she chose to honor her veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Terrio of VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital in Virginia, who has cared for her pets for many years.
To Carlton, Terrio embodies the compassion and expertise of an exceptional veterinarian. She wanted her gift to both honor Terrio and help future veterinary students develop those same qualities as they serve their patients and communities.
"In addition to her academic credentials and professional expertise, Dr. Terrio possesses compassionate wisdom in what she brings to each patient and that patient’s person," said Carlton. "Since 1999, she has guided me through the challenges of treating seven very elderly dogs, and helped me find emotional strength I didn’t know I had to give them time in a loving, healthy home."
Her gift helps remove financial barriers for veterinary medicine students participating in rural outreach trips by supplementing their travel costs. Without donor support, these experiences can be financially out of reach for many students.
To celebrate that impact, Nanook VetServe presented Terrio with a certificate of appreciation, which is now displayed in the clinic's lobby to help create awareness of the important work being done far north of VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital.
"One of the greatest privileges of being a veterinarian is the relationships we build with pets and the people who love them," Terrio said. "Knowing that one of those relationships inspired a gift to support future veterinarians is incredibly humbling. I'm grateful to be part of such a compassionate profession and an amazing team at VCA Alexandria."
Led by UAF Department of Veterinary Medicine faculty Gregory Pietsch, Nanook VetServe partners with local rural veterinary service providers to facilitate hands-on training opportunities for veterinary medicine students. Those partners include Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach, Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc., and Trail Breaker Veterinary Services.
During the trips, students work alongside licensed veterinarians, gaining experience using limited resources and assisting with procedures such as spays and neuters. Outside of clinical training, students gain firsthand experience working with diverse communities, animals and practice settings, broadening their understanding of veterinary medicine beyond the traditional clinical setting.
This year, NVS supported five students participating in veterinary trips around Alaska, including Dillingham, Nome, Cordova, Yakutat and Glennallen.
Adrianna Davis participated in a trip to Dillingham with ARVO, assisting with spays and neuters, vaccinations and wellness checks.
"I feel very grateful to Nanook VetServe for helping me, because I don’t think I could have gone out there beforehand," said Davis in her post-trip video interview. In the video, she reflected on the experience and shared insights for future students interested in rural outreach.
"It is amazing to see students gain real-world experiences to not only build on the clinical training they receive in the classroom, but to develop a sense of service and giving back as they begin their careers as veterinarians," said Pietsch.
Access to veterinary care in rural Alaska is limited, making outreach efforts like these an important resource for communities while also providing students with valuable clinical and cultural experiences. Through Carlton’s generosity and the work of Nanook VetServe and its rural partners, students gain the opportunity to learn from veterinarians who have made serving rural communities part of their mission.
Learn more about Nanook VetServe and watch Adrianna Davis’ full interview.