GOAT VET
Dr. Allen L. Cannedy
Director for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina | DVM, Tuskegee UniversityVetaHumanz Live! Podcast
Dr. Cannedy was featured in Episode 1 of the VetaHumanz Live! Podcast. Listen now.
My Story
I grew up in Spotsylvania Virginia the son of a concrete contractor. I hated that type of work so I would ride my mini bike to a local dairy farm (Braehead Dairy) in Fredericksburg afterschool to milk cows. Whenever a cow would get sick I would occasionally be asked to help give her treatments. This is how I became interested in veterinary medicine.
My Struggles
I started taking classes at Germanna Community College in Locust Grove VA because I lacked the qualifications and originally had no intentions of attending college. I moved across the country to Alabama and lost my mother and grandmother during my first year of veterinary college and ended up having to repeat my first year of veterinary school.
My Heroes
My hero was my mother. She raised 10 children and kept a smile on her face no matter how bad her day may have been. She kept us all in order and was the most faithful person I knew. I credit my work ethic to the dairy farmer that I worked for (Emmett Snead Jr.). He taught me how to work and the value of hard work.
My Typical Day
I usually get up early (5-6 am) and go to bed early (9-10 pm). I enjoy being up before others in my community and like getting my outside work done before breakfast. Before COVID I’d be at my office and done with most of my emails before others arrive and then would head out for breakfast. I usually make a to do list for the day and usually don’t stop until everything is accomplished.
My Stressors
Being black in America is my top stressor. Racism has been the biggest threat to my existence as a black man. Fortunately I have had lots of support from family and friends from all diverse backgrounds to achieve my goals. Fishing and golfing are my favorite ways to relax and release stress. Wacking the heck out of those little white golf balls feels soooo good. I am fortunate to be able to do yoga and have weekly deep tissue massages to manage my stress. I also try to leave the USA at least twice a year to experience life in a place with lower burdens of racism. I wish that all people of color could have these opportunities.
My Why
I like the respect and prestige that the profession has to offer. I love being able to provide help to animals that need our assistance. I like the reaction that our clients show when we help them in their times of need. I enjoy seeing our students learn what they need to become the professionals they want to be. I appreciate enjoying the fruits from my labor in this profession. I really like telling someone that looks like me, “Yes I am a doctor and you can also be one if you want to.”
