Britt Carr ’08 had her life figured out at four. And while that alone is a compelling accomplishment, the fact that she might have a lion’s paw in her hand in just a few weeks is certainly the trump card she never thought she’d hold. The possibility of being up close and personal with an exotic animal might have sent Dorothy clicking her heels for home, but Carr has a different take, saying with a hint of laughter, “It better be well sedated.”

This fearless excitement is a trademark of the young veterinarian who will be venturing cross country to complete an internship at the Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles, California. This specialty practice treats animals from the Los Angeles Zoo, most recently welcoming one of the resident tigers for a procedure, and Carr will have the opportunity to participate in their care.

Carr has envisioned treating animals since she learned there was a profession dedicated to taking care of the horses she loved on her grandmother’s farm. Now sitting at the cusp of launching her own career as a veterinarian, Carr largely attributes her life’s journey and future work to her Furman experience.

“I would not be where I am today if it weren't for the education and encouragement I received at Furman,” Carr says.

Carr traces her passion for medicine back to lessons from her father. He passed away last year. “He was a surgeon and loved what he did. He was so supportive of my dreams and I wouldn’t have gotten where I am without him,” she said. Carr’s brother, Beamer Carr ’09, is also pursuing a career in the medical field as a student at Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Carr chose Furman due to its strong science program and found it to be the perfect incubator to prepare her to study medicine. “The faculty support I received through my research and through the classes I took prepared me beyond measure. They took the time to meet outside of class and invest in me. I even breezed through some of my early classes at vet school because I was so prepared,” she said. Carr specifically referenced the strength of these relationships garnered through research as defining factors of her Furman experience.

When she graduated this May, Carr was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award for the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, which is one of the most prestigious awards both Virginia Tech and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine can award a veterinary student.

And now? This Paladin is heading west to treat a veritable menagerie. “I have truly found my calling and Furman helped me get there,” she said.

If you are an alum with an interesting story, please contact Kate Hofler '09.