Matt Goins

Animal Health Center Intern
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Years in Position: 5 months

As a small animal rotating intern at the Animal Health Center (AHC), Matt Goins spends most of his time rotating through the internal medicine, surgery, and emergency/ICU departments. The AHC is the clinical service unit of Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and serves as a teaching hospital.

“Doing my internship at the Animal Health Center has provided a wide variability in cases. There is something new and different every day,” said Goins.

Goins has always loved animals but serving as a volunteer for several years at Big Cat Rescue in his hometown of Tampa, Florida solidified his decision to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.

While he’s passionate about providing treatment for animals, seeing patients recover and return home is what he loves most.

Goins said his favorite memory during his internship has been, “seeing a patient that had presented for a severe episode of heat stroke leave the hospital. “Working in veterinary medicine can be very emotionally draining. We really care a lot about all our patients, more than some may realize.”

For those interested in a career in veterinary medicine, Goins gave this advice. “Be sure that this is a field you want to pursue because it is a lengthy process. You need to be empathetic, honest, and care, but at the same time, you also need to be able to compartmentalize and take care of yourself.”