Sidelines to Stethoscopes: Pre-veterinary student experiences a unique undergraduate journey

Monday, January 12, 2026

Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | sophia.fahleson@okstate.edu

A roar of the crowd and rustling of orange poms. This is a typical Saturday in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for Kaitlyn Davis, fourth-year Oklahoma State University Pom Squad member and animal science senior. As Davis runs onto the field, she cannot help but reflect on her unique journey and opportunity as the only Ferguson College of Agriculture student on the OSU Pom Squad.

From Norman, Oklahoma, Davis said she always knew she wanted to escape the college town she grew up in to pursue her dream of being a Cowboy. Davis always used dance as a creative outlet, but it was not until she watched former high school pom teammates and role models grace the field of Boone Pickens Stadium that she realized she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

During the spring of Davis’ senior year of high school, she embarked on a strenuous tryout process with the goal of securing a coveted spot as an OSU Pom Squad member.

Several eight counts later, her dream became a reality and her excitement only grew. Throughout the rest of the summer, Davis reached out to a fourth-year pom squad veteran to learn dances and prepare for the upcoming year, Davis said.

 Stepping onto campus just a few short months after her summer of training, Davis had no idea what the next few years would hold for her. With a childhood dream of being a marine biologist, she decided to pursue a degree in animal science.

“I didn’t know that being an animal science major meant I would be in the agricultural college,” Davis said. “I just thought that having grown up visiting my grandpa’s small farm, animal science sounded more like my speed than any other major.”

As a freshman enrolled in the Introduction to Animal Science course, Davis was exposed to the different animal units across OSU’s campus. At first, she was a little hesitant, but it did not take long for her to realize she was right where she was meant to be, she added.

“I would come back to my college dorm and excitedly FaceTime my mom about all the new and different things I was learning in my classes,” Davis said.

This excitement carried into conversations with her freshman-year roommate and fellow animal science student, Jaden Kindt.

“Kaitlyn and I met during our senior year of high school at The Leadership Experience Conference on campus,” Kindt said. “We bonded through our shared major, instantly clicked and decided to be roommates.”

Somewhere between the hectic pom practices and animal science labs, Kaitlyn’s interest in her coursework turned into a goal of becoming a veterinarian. Kindt and Davis held one another accountable throughout challenging and rigorous animal science courses, Kindt said.

“One thing I admire about Kaitlyn is how she never seems to ever get tired or stressed,” Kindt said. “Or at least she never lets it show.”

It was inspiring to watch Davis’ dedication to her early morning workouts, late night practices and academics throughout our freshman year, Kindt added.

“I think Kaitlyn’s daily mindset of, ‘This is what I want to achieve, and these are the things I have to do to get there,’ is what keeps her motivated each day,” Kindt said.

Davis’ peers are not the only ones quick to pick up on her drive and desire to succeed.

“As a pre-vet student, she is trying to do something that some people focus their full attention on,” said Beki Jackson, OSU Pom Squad coach, spirit coordinator and Pistol Pete coordinator. “And at the same time, she’s got this whole other side to her life.”

Jackson said she places an emphasis on building successful young women who will be leaders long after their time on the squad.

“I want them to thrive in this world, their college world, their personal world and careers, whatever that path is,” Jackson said. “Just remembering every relationship they build will add to their life, and it’s such an important thing for me to continue pushing that mission.”

The OSU Pom Squad members are well-rounded student athletes who give 110% and hit the mark every time, she added.

“I don’t have to sit here and motivate them,” Jackson said. “They are already motivated, and I just find those little sparks in them that keep them going.”

For Davis, that spark is ignited by her passion for animals and fuels all aspects of her life. She talks about her schoolwork constantly, and all the girls are intrigued by her, Jackson said.

“It’s not every day we have a pom member with an agricultural major, but what is even more unique about Kaitlyn is her drive to become a veterinarian,” Jackson said.

Davis has something that is unique to the team, and she is proud of it, Jackson added.

Davis said that strong relationships with faculty — especially with her academic adviser, Riley Messman, animal and food sciences assistant professor — have helped her develop a clear sense of career direction.

“Kaitlyn entered the animal and food sciences department with a clear passion for veterinary medicine, particularly in the equine-related field,” Messman said. “My role has been to help her identify related coursework, experiences and internship opportunities that align with her goals and interests.”

Messman said Davis’ ambitious and driven personality, paired with her time management habits, made conversations and course planning easy.

As Davis looks toward the future, she credits the Equine Breeding and Foaling course with Marissa Chapa, equine herd manager, with piquing her interest in equine medicine.

“She enrolled in our Equine Breeding and Foaling class, an extensive course with foal watching and hands-on work,” Messman said. “She excelled within the course despite her already demanding schedule.”

Knowledge and experience from this course, plus Davis’ internships and shadow opportunities with Interstate Equine Hospital and the Professional Animal Health Center helped build her portfolio for veterinary school applications, Davis said.

Messman said she has no doubts Davis will achieve big things in her future endeavors.

“Her combination of academic achievement, leadership and commitment to the pom squad gives her a distinctive edge,” Messman said. “Balancing the physical and time demands of collegiate athletics with the rigorous pre-veterinary curriculum, demonstrates the level of discipline and perseverance many veterinary schools value highly.”

Davis said her path is still unfolding and the uncertainty of life after graduation grows near, but her peers, family and mentors see the unknowns as an opportunity. Her mom reminds her to have a positive mindset daily, she added.

“When I am feeling overwhelmed, my mom tells me, ‘What an opportunity you have to not just be a normal college student. You were picked out of 140 girls to stand on the field and represent your school.’ That is what keeps me going,” Davis added.

Story by Presley Pullen | Cowboy Journal