A Not So Traditional Path to Veterinary School: Chasing the American Dream

Like many veterinarians, Dr. Waka Blair, DVM ’10, dreamed of working with animals as a child. She fondly recalls adopting abandoned kittens and telling her teacher she wanted to be a veterinarian. However, growing up in Osaka, Japan made that dream difficult to pursue and she realized early on that societal expectations wouldn’t allow it. Over time, her passion for animals faded–but a new love took its place: a fascination with America. 

At age 15, Waka spent a year as an exchange student in Montana, deepening her interest in the United States. Back in Japan, she followed a more traditional path, studying English as a second language and education and eventually becoming a teacher at an English school. It was there that she met her husband, an American teacher from Sacramento. Soon after, they moved to California. Waka was 26.

The transition to the states brought culture shock. Accustomed to big city life, Waka found herself in Davis, a small, rural, bike-friendly farm town that smelled like cows. She was at a loss for what to do. 

However, those same cows and other farm animals in the area are what reignited Dr. Blair’s childhood love for animals. She soon learned that UC Davis housed one of the top veterinary programs in the world. She was torn, her traditional Japanese values told her she was too old and she should focus on becoming a housewife like most women back home. But a voice in her head, which she described as the American spirit said, “take a chance on me, opportunity will come!”

With no formal science background, Waka started from scratch. She sought guidance from Dr. Robert Hansen and asked him plainly, “I want to go to vet school, what do I need to do?” Dr. Hansen encouraged Waka to take introductory science courses at a community college. Despite the challenge of learning complex scientific material in her second language, she was determined and persisted. Waka returned to Dr. Hansen often for advice, and began gaining hands-on experience through volunteering.

In 2002, Waka was offered a job as a receptionist for Acorn Veterinary Clinic in Davis, a place that would later come full circle in her life. To further enhance her skills, she completed the registered veterinary technician (RVT) program at Cosumnes River College and then joined UC Davis’s small animal nursing service as a ward technician, eventually becoming the kidney transplant coordinator.

Encouraged by colleagues and her husband, Dr. Blair applied to veterinary school but was rejected four times – twice before the interview, and twice after the interview. After the fourth rejection, Dr. Blair worked up the nerve to ask a question that would change the course of her life forever.

Waka went to Dr. Susan Hildebrand, then Associate Dean of Student Programs, and begged for feedback. “I needed to know what I was doing wrong in my interview,” Waka said. Dr. Hildebrand kindly reviewed Waka’s application and explained that while her paper application was strong, her interview style, shaped by cultural norms, came across as meek and overly reserved. Waka added, “Dr. Hildebrand urged me to let go of the demeanor formed by my old culture and work on waking up the assertiveness that she saw in me.  She acknowledged that she was asking me to something very challenging, but assured me that I would be successful in whatever I set my mind to in this country if I could overcome that barrier.” Waka took Dr. Hildebrand’s advice to heart and decided to embrace it. 

Upon further reflection, Waka realized she needed to confront her fear head-on. She enlisted help from Dr. Ben Norman, a confident professor emeritus livestock veterinarian whom she initially found intimidating. Dr. Norman introduced Waka to other veterinarians and professors including Dr. Thomas Graham, DVM ’83, who worked with her weekly, practicing interviews, building confidence, and teaching her to present herself assertively. “I am so grateful to them. People in this country love an underdog who works hard. They want to help,” says Waka. 

The fifth time, after all those hours of practice, was the charm for Waka. She was finally accepted into UC Davis in 2006.

At UC Davis, it was the people who made the greatest impact on Waka. Her classmates, clubmates, the faculty, deans and staff are all what made the school great in her eyes. She recalls the camaraderie of the Class of 2010, where students supported one another and had each other’s backs, despite the program’s competitiveness. 

Faculty mentorship was equally transformative for Dr. Blair. One particular summer day on neurology rotation stands out to her. Dr. Richard LeCouteur was helping Waka with a non-ambulatory patient, a Yorkie named “Sofie.” “He asked me, ‘what do you think is wrong? What should we do to help her?’ while we observed and gave a neurologic exam to Sofie on the lawn at 7 AM. I had to think about it. He didn’t just give me the answer, but let me use my training to come to a conclusion. That type of critical thinking you just can’t replace.”

Dr. Lynelle Johnson helped Waka develop her leadership and client communication skills. “She would physically take my hand and teach me how to talk to clients and take charge of a situation,” Dr. Blair said. 

After graduating, Dr. Blair completed a rotating internship at Texas A&M University and an emergency and critical care internship at UC Davis. She also studied acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine at Chi University while working at an after-hour emergency clinic.  

Following the birth of her daughter, the demands of ER work became challenging. Though she didn’t want to work in general practice, an opportunity for a more flexible schedule led her back to Acorn Veterinary Clinic, this time as a veterinarian. In a full-circle moment, she later became co-owner, and eventually sole owner, of the clinic where her journey began.

Today, Dr. Blair remains focused on practicing good medicine and giving back. She credits her success to the many people who believed in her and offered support along the way. She hopes her story can be an inspiration to others who are not from here, but have a dream. “America, and the people in this country, welcomed and supported me in a profession I never thought was possible,” she says. “This is the American Dream. Opportunities will come. Don’t overthink it, just listen to your heart.”