Hannah Porter (LSU 2028): Choosing the path less traveled

While many students march through classrooms, clinics, and research labs on their way to a veterinary degree, Hannah Porter chooses to chart an even tougher course—balancing those demands with the added responsibility of a military commission. Porter, Class of 2028, recently joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps as a second lieutenant under the Army’s F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), one of the most comprehensive scholarships available to aspiring healthcare professionals.

Porter’s journey is shaped by six years of service as a military police officer in the National Guard. She deployed to Eastern Europe and logged more than 2,000 hours providing force protection and base security in cooperation with NATO allies. That experience gave her both a global perspective and the discipline to navigate the rigors of veterinary school. 

“What many people do not realize is that military life emphasizes resilience and adaptability, traits that definitely carry over to veterinary medicine,” Porter said. “The military also instills confidence in how you communicate and present yourself, skills that are invaluable when working with clients, colleagues and the public.” 

Through the HPSP, Porter receives full tuition support and a monthly stipend—an opportunity that not only lightens the financial burden of professional education but also opens doors to a unique career path. Army veterinarians care for military working dogs, safeguard the nation’s food supply, support public health, and provide care for service members’ pets around the world. Yet for many students, the military remains an underexplored option in veterinary medicine. Porter’s story demonstrates how service can expand professional horizons while offering meaningful contributions to both animal and human health.

“The military has given me a sense of purpose and teamwork that I carry into every part of my life. Now I’m able to combine that with my passion for veterinary medicine,” she said.

At LSU Vet Med, Porter is already a standout. She serves on the boards of multiple student organizations, including Dental, Lab Animal Medicine, Surgery, Students for One Health, Theriogenology, and the Women’s Development Initiative clubs. She is a Form and Function Leader, guiding first-year students through foundational principles of anatomy. She received the LSU Vet Med Lab Animal Medicine Fellowship along with the Kenneth F. Burns Scholarship that recognizes her work with teaching animals at LSU. She is active in volunteer work, reflecting her commitment to service both in and out of uniform.

Married to a military recruiter stationed in Baton Rouge, Porter’s life embodies the balance of dedication to family, community, and country. Her path shows future veterinarians that the military can be more than a call to service—it can be a rewarding and supportive career path, one that strengthens both veterinary medicine and national security.