Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Paula A. Schuerer owns and practices as senior veterinarian of Animal Ark Animal Hospital in Franklin, Tennessee. The Huntsville, Alabama native developed a desire to become a veterinarian at age 7. She entered MS's College of Veterinary Medicine, or CVM, through the early entry program and earned a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1992. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine while simultaneously earning an MBA, with both degrees conferred in 1995. She earned a Master of Science from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017.

After practicing as an associate veterinarian in Nashville, Schuerer opened her practice in 2002. With encouragement from mentor, Dr. Sharon Grace, she became board certified in canine and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2009. She was named the MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine Alumna of the Year in 2010.

Guided by a strong commitment to education and faith, Schuerer supports domestic and international missions and agricultural training initiatives in South Africa. Her family has several memorial scholarships in MSU's CVM and in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. She and her husband, Jaye Thomas, live in Franklin and she credits him and her late parents, Paul and Linda Schuerer, with inspiring the spirit of giving to benefit others.