“The less I could find about Heartland, the more I liked them,” Spencer said.

Rather than seeing a large corporate brand front and center, he found a place that puts local practices first and focuses on building relationships instead of recruiting students with flashy marketing.

“It seemed more like, ‘Let’s have a conversation. Let’s see if this is the right fit for you,'” he said. “It wasn’t just, ‘Come sign with us.'”

After meeting Dr. Brandy Duhon, Heartland’s Director of Campus Relations, and Dr. Jessi Farris, VP of Veterinary Career Development, Spencer knew he had found a program that genuinely aligned with his values.

“They’ve stayed true to that culture from day one,” he said. “It’s all about inclusivity, belonging, and making sure everybody feels supported.”

Since becoming an ambassador, Spencer has discovered that one of the most meaningful parts of the role is helping fellow students navigate veterinary school. Whether it’s connecting classmates with externship opportunities or answering questions about potential career paths, he enjoys serving as a resource for his peers.

“If students are worried because they don’t have an externship lined up, I can say, ‘I have an idea,’ and help connect them with Heartland,” he said. “They needed something, and Heartland was right there ready to help.”

“It showed me there were other student ambassadors doing the same thing I was, just in a different way at different schools,” he said.

The retreat also introduced Spencer to topics that aren’t always emphasized in veterinary school. Sessions on employment contracts, business management, leadership, and career planning gave him practical knowledge he knows will benefit him long after graduation.

“It was nice to see a company putting something on that wasn’t only applicable to them,” Spencer said. “They wanted to better us as students and professionals, even if we didn’t end up signing with them.”

That commitment to student success has become one of the defining aspects of Spencer’s Heartland experience. He credits mentors, like Dr. Jessi Farris and Dr. Brandy Duhon, with helping him think through career options, introducing him to veterinarians with similar interests, and encouraging him to explore every possibility within the profession.

“Their superpower is connecting you with other people,” Spencer said. “I text both of them all the time, not just about Heartland, but about veterinary medicine in general and how I can better my career.”

He even had the opportunity to meet with Heartland’s CEO, Connor Lawrie, at an ambassador event.

“That was unheard of to me. I could not believe that the CEO was taking time just to have dinner with the students and talk to us and answer questions,” Spencer said.

“It’s been one of my favorite parts of vet school,” he said. “The connections you make, the leadership skills you build, and the opportunities you have to help other students are invaluable.”

More than anything, Spencer believes veterinary students should remember that while becoming a great doctor is important, taking care of themselves is just as essential.

“You can’t pour out of an empty cup,” he said. “You have to make time for yourself.”

For Spencer, that’s exactly what the Heartland Student Ambassador Program has provided – a supportive community that invests in students as future veterinarians, future leaders, and, most importantly, as people.