If Emma Malloy is any indication, the new PA-VEAP program in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Animal Science is already reaping benefits.
Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program aims to recruit and retain future food animal veterinarians in underserved areas. Malloy is the perfect fit for the program.
A junior animal science major, Malloy is from Holbrook, Iowa, where she grew up on a family farm surrounded by livestock and agriculture.
“My lifelong goal is to become a production animal veterinarian serving rural Iowa,” Malloy said. “In this role, I hope to promote animal health, support livestock producers and contribute to the success and sustainability of my rural community.”
PA-VEAP is good first step toward that goal. The recently established program allows students who have completed the program as Iowa State undergraduates, guaranteed admission into the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Malloy is part of the latest cohort and is on track to complete the program.
“I was introduced to the program by my hometown veterinarian and I knew then that it would be a perfect fit for me as it aligns perfectly with my own career aspirations,” Malloy said. “Through this program I have gained valuable mentorship while learning more about the opportunities and challenges within rural veterinary practice.”
Program participants are paired with a faculty mentor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Malloy’s mentor is Dr. Phillip Jardon, clinical associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine.
Jardon and Malloy meet on a regular basis to discuss everything from academic courses to the food animal veterinary profession.
“Dr. Jardon has provided valuable guidance in both academic and professional development, offering meaningful perspective on the realities of production animal medicine,” Malloy said. “His support has helped me build confidence and gain a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed in the field.”
One piece of advice that Dr. Jardon gave Malloy was emphasizing the importance of maintaining curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning.
“He reminded me that effective veterinarians continually seek to expand their knowledge and improve their practice,” she said. “He also shared that meaningful learning could happen anywhere.”
Malloy has also received mentorship from her hometown veterinarian, Dr. Tom Hansen (DVM ’11) of the Williamsburg (Iowa) Veterinary Medical Center. Malloy has worked with Hansen over the past two years at the clinic, focusing exclusively on large animal work.
That includes processing calves, performing hoof trimming, breeding soundness examinations and pregnancy checks.
“These experiences have provided valuable hands-on exposure to herd health management and the daily realities of large animal practice,” Malloy said.
All these experiences have solidified Malloy’s goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
“The program has strengthened my commitment to returning to rural Iowa after veterinary school to serve agricultural communities and support the future of animal agriculture,” she said.
October 2025