Meet Krista Miller
Veterinarian, Animal Doctor
Krista Miller planned to become a nurse in kindergarten. But on career day she was upset. Every girl wanted to be a nurse. Back then girls didn’t see different career choices. That was especially true in Krista’s low-income, mostly-Black neighborhood.
It got her thinking. What did she really love to do? The answer was easy. She loved to take care of her pet cats, dogs, rabbits, turtles, and even a pet squirrel. Her mom told her veterinarians are animal doctors. Krista changed her plans that day. She wanted to be a vet.
In high school she planned to go to Tuskegee University. But Krista was a good musician. Alcorn State University offered her a full scholarship. They would pay for all of her college education if she would play in the band. She changed her plans and went to Alcorn. It’s good to be flexible.
After college, Krista planned to do Vet School at Tuskegee. Instead, her advisor suggested Mississippi State University. It was a mostly- White school. That wasn’t part of her plan. She would be the only Black person in most of her classes. Krista accepted the challenge. It forced her to learn about herself and her own culture. She learned the importance of how her piece of the puzzle fit into a new culture. She got to see the world from both sides. Because of that, she says she can speak with confidence to and reach anyone on any level and across cultures.
Krista planned to be a hometown vet for her African American community in the South. Instead, her husband’s work took her to California. It took several tries for her to pass the California test for vets. During that time, she taught at a local tech college. She worked at a pet wellness clinic. She learned that she loved teaching and wellness. Krista says, “These seeds of change, discouragement, and flexibility all pushed me to build a platform of hope and education for pets and people alike!” Check out her videos at Dope Black Vets on YouTube.
The best advice Krista can give to students is, “Don’t forget to dream big. You can achieve your dreams. Be flexible!” The best advice Krista ever got was from her mom. “Go with the flow, roll with the punches, duck when you have to, and hang on like Snoopy.”
Photo Credits
Pet Photo: This Photo is licensed under CC BY-ND
Vet Tools Photo: This Photo is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Read these books to learn more about pets . . .
by Susanna Lee (Author)
This fact-pact and enlightening book covers everything kids need to know about becoming a vet. It also gives a realistic view of what daily life is like as a vet - the challenges and triumphs.
In How to Become a Veterinarian, Susanna Lee shares the latest practical information available, but also offer a human perspective on life as a vet and what it’s really like to work towards that goal.
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by Laurie Halse Anderson(Author)
In this seventeen-book series, the kids who volunteer at Dr. Mac’s place have adventures just right for animal lovers.
End of the Race is the twelfth book in the series. After treating an injured greyhound at her grandmother's veterinary clinic, thirteen-year-old Maggie learns about the abuse of greyhounds in the dog-racing industry and vows to put a stop to it.
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. . . and visit these websites!
So you want to be a vet? Watch this fun video from Nat Geo Kids about veterinary work.
Learn what it takes to be a vet from PBS The Friday Zone. School, patience, and love for animals is not all you need! Watch as a nervous beagle gets a check-up and see cute kittens, too!
A day in the life of a San Diego Zoo Veterinarian from the San Diego Zoo.