Ever since she was a little girl, Dr. Amy Staton (13), assistant professor of veterinary technology at Morehead State, has loved animals and wanted to take care of them.
“I wanted to be the person behind the scenes caring for these animals, nursing and nurturing them back to health,” she said. “As I grew, my love for animals intensified and as a high school student, I began to explore my options. I knew that I wanted to play a major role in veterinary medicine but was unsure what path I wanted to take. As time progressed, I found my drive to become a veterinary technician grew stronger and I knew that this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life.”
Staton grew up in Salt Lick and in 2003, she earned her associate degree in veterinary technology from MSU. She completed her preceptorship at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine before returning to MSU to earn her bachelor’s degree the following year. In 2013, she earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from MSU.
Staton is very actively involved at MSU and in the community, serving on boards and committees at the local and state levels. At MSU, Staton is the admissions coordinator for the Veterinary Technology Committee, the vice chair of the University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), chair of the Agricultural Sciences Scholarship Committee and a member of the College of Science’s Honors Day Committee. Within MSU’s Department of Agricultural Sciences, she serves on the Veterinary Technology Program Committee, the Retention Committee and the Social Committee. She is also a member of the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, the Jessamine County Technical Center Advisory Board, the Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Education Advisory Committee (and serves as chair of the Bath County committee), the Bath County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and on the Buffalo Trace Veterinary Medical Association’s Planning Committee for Morehead Clinic Days.
“I use real-life scenarios to help students understand, full circle, the topic we are discussing. Providing real-world examples helps students understand the material better, retain the information and prepare them for what is to come when they graduate. I get to come to work every day and do what I love, all while helping students achieve their professional goals. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
– Dr. Amy Staton
Staton has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including being named one of the top 40 veterinary technology professors in the country by www.vettechcolleges.com, and was selected as the 2013 Veterinary Technician of the Year by the Kentucky Veterinary Technician Association.
Before coming to MSU, Staton worked for 10 years in mixed animal practice. She started her career at MSU in 2008 as a staff technologist, was promoted to instructor in 2013 and to assistant professor in 2016. Her areas of focus are small animal husbandry, animal care, surgical nursing and diagnostic imaging. While it’s her passion for caring for animals that steered her into the field, she said her love of teaching is what she finds most satisfying.
“The biggest reward for me is when I see students grow as a professional from day one to graduation and beyond. Students grow tremendously in their skillset and scientific knowledge during their time at MSU. My goal is for each student to be proficient at their skills, as well as build a strong scientific foundation, prior to graduation,” she said. “The best part of working at MSU is the belief that I impact the lives of the students and I strive to serve as a positive role model in their professional careers.”
Staton said those who are considering pursuing a career in veterinary technology need to have certain traits and chief among them should be a deep love for animals and learning.
“To be successful in the field of veterinary technology, you must have a love of animals. You must also have a love of science. This program is extremely hands-on but also incorporates critical thinking and the scientific knowledge behind the skills and procedures,” she said.
Staton added her professional experience in the field prior to coming to MSU helps her to better serve her students.
For more information about the veterinary technology program at Morehead State, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/study/vettech.
