Sierra Herbel | Honor Society®

About

I am currently a third year student at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. I have spent my whole life dreaming of and working towards becoming a veterinarian. A huge inspiration for my passion comes from my dad, who has been a practicing veterinarian for over 35 years. I grew up watching displays of his intelligence, compassion, problem solving skills, and overall love for both people and animals. I am very proud to share that he has shaped my life in more ways than he probably knows. I grew up in the rural town of Millsap, Texas; earned my bachelor's degree in biology at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and I am now on my way to earning my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Education

University of Tennessee - College of Veterinary Medicine

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

2024 – Present
Nova Southeastern University

Major in Biology / Minors in Business and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies

2019 – 2023
Millsap High School

High School Diploma

2015 – 2019

Honors and awards

-High School Valedictorian - 2019

I graduated from Millsap High School as the Valedictorian for the Class of 2019
-Dean's List Recognition

I received Dean's List Recognition during my undergraduate education at Nova Southeastern University for the following semesters: Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023
-Order of Omega Honor Society - 2021 Induction

Order of Omega is a leadership honor society that recognizes the top 3% to 5% of undergraduate juniors and seniors who belong to fraternities and sororities that display high standards in academics, leadership, character, and community service.
-Beta Beta Beta Honor Society - 2022 Induction

TriBeta is a national collegiate honor society for students majoring in biological sciences
-General Citation in Honors - 2023

Awarded to undergraduate seniors from Nova Southeastern University who completed specific academic and program requirements for the Farquhar Honors College.
-Cum Laude Graduate - 2023

Award received from Nova Southeastern University for graduating with a cumulative GPA from 3.80 to 3.89
-Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society - 2025 Induction

International honor society that recognizes academic and professional excellence in agricultural sciences for undergraduate and graduate students.
-Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society - 2025 Induction

All-discipline collegiate honor society that offers membership through high academic standing and chapter nomination. Offered to graduate students who completed 18 hours and rank in the top 10% of the program.
-Honor Society (Highest Honors) - 2026 Induction

National organization dedicated to supporting academic, professional, and personal growth. Membership for Highest Honors tier in this organization is offered to students with a GPA of 3.8 and above.

Goals and interests

Career goal: After completing my DVM degree, my intended plan is to return to my hometown of Millsap, Texas and eventually take over my dad's private veterinary practice. I could think of nothing better than to serve the community that once served me in more ways than I could describe. My interest of mixed animal medicine has done nothing but become stronger since attending veterinary school. As my dad once said; "if they can get the animal into the clinic, I have the knowledge and the skills to treat any species that has any condition"; and that is something that I strive to say one day.
Graduate school interests: While in grad school, I have been a part of many SAVMA clubs including: Companion Animal Club, Christian Veterinary Fellowship, Food Animal Club, Shelter Medicine Club, Theriogenology Club, Avian/Wildlife/Exotics Club, and Surgery Club; where I currently serve as an EBOARD member. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time in nature, reading, painting, and gardening. For most of my life, my volunteer interests have been centered around community and animal welfare, which is still true to this day.
Outside the classroom: Painting, cooking, plants & flowers, scuba diving, travel, spending time with family, movies, spending time outdoors, and experiencing new foods/cultures/cities/ways of life!

Experience

Veterinary Technician

Millsap Veterinary Clinic

Jan 2024 – Present
Veterinary Technician

West Boca Veterinary Center

Jun 2023 – Jan 2024
Veterinary Technician

Roger's Animal Hospital

May 2022 – May 2023
Hostess

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort: Sea Level Restaurant

Feb 2022 – Jul 2022
Pet Sitting

Rover

Sep 2021 – Aug 2022

Volunteering

-Open house: This event is designed to showcase all that goes on in the veterinary teaching hospital and university. Various clubs displayed their focus and educated families on the importance of veterinary medicine. My responsibilities included repairing ‘injuries’ on children’s stuffed animals as a representative of Surgery Club.

University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Apr 2026
-CatSnip: Event designed to provide medical care and spay/neuter feral cat populations. Responsibilities vary but included; anesthetic induction, physical exam, surgical preparation, surgery, vaccination, venipuncture, and recovery.

Blount County Animal Shelter

Sep 2025
-Responsibilities included; cleaning and feeding adoptable cats and dogs, socialization, enrichment activities, owner education, and some medical treatments depending on what was needed.

Young Williams Animal Shelter

Mar 2025
-Feral Fixin: Event that is designed to provide medical care and spay/neuter feral cat populations. Responsibilities vary but included; anesthetic induction, physical exam, surgical preparation, surgery, vaccination, venipuncture, and recovery.

Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee (University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine)

Feb 2025 – Present
-One of many events dedicated to cleaning trash off of local beaches, activities included providing materials, organizing dates and locations, and encouraging member involvement.

Nova Southeastern University Gnarly Army Surf Club

Aug 2020 – May 2023
-Service learning trip where we traveled as a group to assist in running three pop-up clinics in remote areas of Ecuador, as well as a service project for a family in a rural community of Ecuador.

Nova Southeastern University MEDLIFE

Feb 2020
-Annual event in which a bowling tournament is organized to fundraise money with proceeds going to Boxer Friends Inc. Responsibilities include recruiting a team for the event, renting bowling lanes, and providing food and drinks. Block painting to display club presence.

Nova Southeastern University Pre-Veterinary Club

Jan 2020 – May 2023
-Valentine’s Day party thrown at a local nursing home each year. Community fair to welcome local families to learn about the various club activities and student involvement.

Nova Southeastern University Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority

Sep 2019 – Aug 2021
-Locally owned Doberman breeding facility in which I participated in activities directed towards preparing both puppies as well as adults for the show industry.

Cambria Doberman

Mar 2019 – Aug 2019
-Helped prepare for and participated in National Clear the Shelter day in which my focus was the feline center where I organized and oversaw portions of the adoption process.

Parker County Animal Shelter

Aug 2018
-An organization that partnered with a local PetSmart where I spent once a week caring for adoptable cats. Maintained and followed specific instructions including; cleaning litter boxes, replenishing water, refreshing linen and toys, and allowing individual cats time out of cages, as well as providing information to people interested in adoption.

Parker Paws

May 2018 – Oct 2019
-Hurricane Harvey Relief: cared for the basic needs of cats and dogs that were lost during the Houston storm. Pets were either reconnected with their owners through social media, or rehomed if not claimed.

Millsap Veterinary Clinic

Aug 2017 – Dec 2017
-Vacation Bible School (VBS) volunteer

Millsap Baptist Church

Jun 2017 – Jun 2026

Languages

English (US) Advanced
Spanish Beginner

Additional information

Organizations

About

Education

University of Tennessee - College of Veterinary Medicine

Nova Southeastern University

Millsap High School

Honors and awards

-High School Valedictorian - 2019

-Dean's List Recognition

-Order of Omega Honor Society - 2021 Induction

-Beta Beta Beta Honor Society - 2022 Induction

-General Citation in Honors - 2023

-Cum Laude Graduate - 2023

-Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society - 2025 Induction

-Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society - 2025 Induction

-Honor Society (Highest Honors) - 2026 Induction

Goals and interests

Experience

Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician

Hostess

Pet Sitting

Volunteering

-CatSnip: Event designed to provide medical care and spay/neuter feral cat populations. Responsibilities vary but included; anesthetic induction, physical exam, surgical preparation, surgery, vaccination, venipuncture, and recovery.

-Responsibilities included; cleaning and feeding adoptable cats and dogs, socialization, enrichment activities, owner education, and some medical treatments depending on what was needed.

-Feral Fixin: Event that is designed to provide medical care and spay/neuter feral cat populations. Responsibilities vary but included; anesthetic induction, physical exam, surgical preparation, surgery, vaccination, venipuncture, and recovery.

-One of many events dedicated to cleaning trash off of local beaches, activities included providing materials, organizing dates and locations, and encouraging member involvement.

-Service learning trip where we traveled as a group to assist in running three pop-up clinics in remote areas of Ecuador, as well as a service project for a family in a rural community of Ecuador.

-Annual event in which a bowling tournament is organized to fundraise money with proceeds going to Boxer Friends Inc. Responsibilities include recruiting a team for the event, renting bowling lanes, and providing food and drinks. Block painting to display club presence.

-Valentine’s Day party thrown at a local nursing home each year. Community fair to welcome local families to learn about the various club activities and student involvement.

-Locally owned Doberman breeding facility in which I participated in activities directed towards preparing both puppies as well as adults for the show industry.

-Helped prepare for and participated in National Clear the Shelter day in which my focus was the feline center where I organized and oversaw portions of the adoption process.

-Hurricane Harvey Relief: cared for the basic needs of cats and dogs that were lost during the Houston storm. Pets were either reconnected with their owners through social media, or rehomed if not claimed.

-Vacation Bible School (VBS) volunteer

Languages

Additional information