Future Army veterinarian among 8,675 students set to graduate from UF

Colleges & Universities University of Florida
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<p>GAINESVILLE, Fla. — During his time in the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Gregory Reppas has worked with the U.S. Navy’s mine-detecting dolphins, tended sled-racing dogs for Alaska’s Iditarod and done hands-on work with alligators in St. Augustine.</p>

<p>Reppas, who graduated from UF’s Navy ROTC program in 1993, will receive his second degree from the university when he graduates from the veterinary college May 24.</p>

<p>After earning his undergraduate degree in engineering, Reppas, 38, spent 10 years in the Navy as a cryptological officer working with classified communications intelligence. He was in charge of more than 150 people and several airborne missions but no animals.</p>

<p>After doing some volunteer veterinary work, Reppas decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. </p>

<p>And though he wants to open a mixed-animal veterinary practice some day, he hasn’t forsaken the armed forces just yet. Since his second year of veterinary school, Reppas has been on an Army scholarship with the understanding that after graduation, he will enter the Army as a major in the veterinary corps.</p>

<p>Reppas expects to be deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, where he would do public health work and “hearts and minds kinds of missions,” including assisting local farmers with the care of their animals.</p>

<p>“It’s an important task,” he said. “These animals are their livelihood.”</p>

<p>Reppas said veterinary school has been enjoyable but also challenging after his hiatus from the world of academics.</p>

<p>“I had to learn how to study again, and quickly,” Reppas said. “I have to give a lot of credit to the program. It’s been a lot harder than I thought it would be.”</p>

<p>Reppas is just one of 8,675 students who have applied for graduation from UF this spring, including 5,690 bachelor’s degree candidates.</p>

<p>Click link for rest of the article:</p>

<p>[InsideUF</a> - Future Army veterinarian among 8,675 students set to graduate from UF](<a href=“http://insideuf.ufl.edu/2008/04/24/commence-08/]InsideUF”>http://insideuf.ufl.edu/2008/04/24/commence-08/)</p>

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