Veterinary Medicine

Welcome to the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine, where tradition meets innovation, challenges inspire growth, and lifelong learning truly begins.

Since 1872, Lyon College has prepared students to lead lives of purpose, perseverance, service, and intellectual curiosity. Today, that proud tradition meets a bold new vision for the future of veterinary medicine.

We are building more than a veterinary school. We are creating a learning community designed to prepare graduates not only for the profession as it exists today but also for where it is headed. Veterinary medicine is changing rapidly, influenced by advances in technology, biomedical discovery, data science, communication, public health, and our growing understanding of the connection between animal, human, and environmental health. Our goal is not simply to keep pace with these changes, but to help shape what comes next.

That vision extends beyond the classroom. Through relationships with veterinary professionals, healthcare organizations, agricultural partners, public service institutions, researchers, and community organizations, students will have opportunities to engage with the people and ideas shaping the future of animal and human health. These partnerships will enrich learning, broaden perspectives, and help students better understand the many ways veterinarians contribute to society.

Our students will learn through immersive, hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity, adaptability, creativity, and confidence. By thoughtfully incorporating new and emerging technologies into the curriculum, including 3D visualization, virtual and augmented reality, and technology-enhanced clinical simulation training, we hope to transform the way students learn, retain knowledge, solve problems, and develop the lifelong learning skills needed in an ever-evolving profession.

During their clinical year, students will experience a unique training model that combines hands-on learning in our shelter medicine facility with required and elective clinical rotations at veterinary practices, specialty hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and other clinical training sites in Arkansas and beyond. This semi-distributive approach allows students to learn directly from veterinarians working in a variety of real-world settings while gaining exposure to the many career paths available within the profession.

The DVM degree opens the door to an extraordinary range of opportunities, many of which prospective students may never have considered. Through broad exposure to companion animal, equine, food animal, shelter, specialty, diagnostic, public health, and other areas of veterinary medicine, students will be encouraged to discover their passions, explore new possibilities, and gain an understanding of where their talents can make the greatest impact.

We believe great veterinarians combine scientific expertise with compassion, excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to service. Our students will be encouraged to approach clinical challenges with curiosity and creativity rather than fear of uncertainty. They will learn to think critically, work collaboratively, adapt thoughtfully, and pursue solutions that improve the lives of animals, strengthen communities, and benefit society as a whole.

Whether you are exploring a future in veterinary medicine, considering a partnership with our program, or simply interested in the future of animal health, we invite you to learn more about the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to preparing future veterinarians who will lead with compassion, embrace innovation, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals, people, and communities.

Carolyn Henry,  DVM, MS, ACVIM (Oncology)

Dean, Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine