From Farm Life to Vet School: How RLC Alum Dr. Angela Martin Became a Successful Veterinarian

INA, Ill. (March 6, 2023) — "I had a passion for animals from a young age," recalls Dr. Angela Martin, proud alumni of Rend Lake College. Growing up on a family farm in Pinckneyville, Angela always knew what she wanted to become. "I wanted to be a vet since I was a little girl," she says. "I always had a love for animals. I helped take care of them living on our farm and was involved in many 4-H and FFA projects centered around animals."

In high school, she prioritized education, understanding that she needed to focus on her studies to achieve her dream. "If I wanted to become a vet, I knew I had to make my schooling a priority." Angela took advantage of RLC's dual credit program that allows students to earn college credits while still in high school, giving her a head start toward her future.

Dr. Angela Martin with her Cow Bella. 

When it came to selecting a college, Angela chose Rend Lake College for several reasons. "The cost of tuition was a major factor in my decision. I saved money on tuition by attending RLC and also saved money by commuting from home. Attending RLC also ensured my classes would transfer to a four-year university, which was crucial for my future college career."

Angela's time at RLC was full of good memories, friendships, and challenging classes. "I had a fantastic experience. I made many lifelong friends." She took medical-related classes with nursing students and studied sciences and math. She also excelled in ag business classes, graduating as the Ag Business Student of the Year in 2009.

Angela transferred to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and earned her Bachelor's degree. She attended the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, where she completed her Doctorate. "Getting into veterinary school is extremely competitive," she noted. "Most veterinary schools receive around 1,000 applicants yearly, with 80-130 students accepted, depending on class size. I was fortunate to be accepted into the U of I and Mizzou veterinary programs."

After graduating from veterinary school, she started her veterinary career at the Nashville Animal Clinic in Nashville, Illinois. There, she gained valuable experience treating both production and companion animals. In 2018, Dr. Martin moved back to Central Missouri and married her husband, Dr. Neal Martin, who is also a veterinarian.

In November 2022, she and Neal opened a veterinary facility called CountryVets, located near Centralia, Missouri. This state-of-the-art small animal clinic has five exam rooms, a large treatment area, surgical and dental suites, and a welcoming waiting area. The clinic also has a large animal haul-in livestock facility that provides quality care to beef cattle in Mid-Missouri.

Dr. Angela Martin poses with a cat at her Veterinary Clinic CountryVets. 

The mission of CountryVets is to provide exceptional patient care and safety while offering an exceptional experience to patients, owners, and staff.

She has big plans for the future of CountryVets with hopes of expanding the clinic to a 4-5 doctor practice and extending its hours of operation to include evening hours and offering urgent care services. The couple also dreams of owning land and raising beef cattle, combining their veterinary skills with their strong background and knowledge of the beef industry to create a unique and high-quality beef cattle operation.

In addition to their successful veterinary practice, Angela and Neal are the proud parents of Luke (2 1/2 yrs) and Clay (10 months).

Angela credits her success to her parents and the values they instilled in her. "I wouldn't be where I am today without my parents. I have four siblings, and my parents taught us the importance of education and how to be humble, work hard, and never give up."

"Rend Lake College helped pave the way for my veterinary career, building the foundation of my education and providing me with lifelong friendships."

Learn more about Rend Lake College student journeys and accomplishments at rlc.edu/myjourney.