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In keeping with the theme, #10YearsTogether, we decided to check in with a number of alumni from the Class of ’13 to see where they are now and how they felt about NSAC merging with Dalhousie University. Next up? Katherine Mitchell.

Growing up around animals, on her parent’s beef farm in Village Green, PE, her future was always clear. She would make her career around animals.

And Dr. Kathrine Mitchell has done just that.

Katherine graduated with her B.Sc., majoring in animal science, with a minor in animal welfare, as part of the first group to graduate as the new Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture, in 2013. Katherine then went on to peruse her dream as she was accepted to Atlantic Veterinary College, back home, on PEI.

“I always loved helping my father with the cattle, at home and just knew I wanted to do something with animals. Whenever dad would have the vet out, I always wanted to be there. The older I got, the more I realized I was interested in veterinary medicine,” reflects Katherine.

Upon graduation, Katherine worked at a mixed animal practice, in NS, but ultimately wanted to return to PEI. She is now an associate veterinarian at the Montague and Souris, PE, Veterinary Clinics.

“I work primarily with small animal,” says Katherine, “so I see a variety of appointments from wellness exams and vaccines to sick dogs or cats to surgeries.  No two days are the same.” Katherine also does on-call and works with some large/farm animals.

“You never really know what you will get into each day,” she adds. “It's very common for the schedule to look completely different by noon then it did first thing in the morning.”

When Katherine gets a break from her hectic days and on-call, her down-time is still filled with animals. “I like to help my dad (and brother) with the animal side of the family farm,” she says. “My favourite way to unwind is feeding calves at the dairy farm, where my fiancé works.”

Katherine is grateful for having grown-up with an appreciation for agriculture and hard work. “Making my career in agriculture I am very proud of the knowledge I have and when given the opportunity, I like to share this work people and make people more aware of why agriculture is so important.”

When the announcement was made, that NSAC would merge with Dalhousie University, becoming the Faculty of Agriculture, what were your initial thoughts and feelings?

Looking back, how do you feel now?

Initially, I was sad. NSAC was always a small tight-knit community which I liked, and I was worried that was going to change. Looking back, and talking to students that have gone there, over the last 10 years, it seems like it still has the same community feel but with the benefits of being part of a larger organization.

How has the campus changed in the last 10 years?

With the pandemic, I haven’t had an opportunity to return to campus in the last few years. I would say the most notable changes are the Cox and feed mill rebuild. I hope to get to visit the campus again in the near future.  

What is your favourite memory from your time at NSAC?

I have so many memories from my four years at NSAC - making friends in residence, getting up at 4 a.m. to milk at the RAC, to nights at the Barn (campus pub). It’s hard to pick one, but if I had to choose, I would say meeting all kinds of people and making some lifelong friends, including my fiancé.