Legally blind student pursuing her dream of caring for animals after being accepted by vet school

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD/Gray News) - A student in Texas sees a big future for herself helping animals despite her disability.

Faith Snapp is legally blind. She has also recently received her acceptance letter to the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Snapp and her twin brother, who is also legally blind, were born prematurely at 27 weeks.

“So, part of our childhood was figuring out how to navigate the world and being blind in a sighted world is a journey,” Snapp said. “The world is not made for people who are visually impaired.”

Snapp grew up in Slaton and was raised in production agriculture. She started raising goats in third grade, and her family showed horses at stock shows. Snapp developed a strong work ethic and a passion for animals very early in her life.

While completing her undergraduate studies at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Snapp realized she could put her passions for animals together with her love of people and work as a veterinarian.

To help with her impairment, Snapp has a guide dog named prim. She said she is completely blind in her right eye. She describes seeing through her left eye as looking through a coffee straw and seeing colors and movement.

When she began applying for vet school, some questioned her decision, but she said it never swayed her.

“It’s not every day that you see someone who’s visually impaired try to go to vet school. It’s actually really rare,” she said. “So, a lot of people were kind of like, ‘What? You want to be a vet?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I really do.’”

When she visited the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, Snapp said she felt right at home. She interviewed in January and said school officials told her they were prepared to help support her however they could.

“When I got the acceptance call, I was just blown away. It still doesn’t feel real, I don’t think. But I’m very, very blessed to be here and have the opportunity to go there,” Snapp said.

Snapp starts vet school in the fall. In the meantime, she’s busy working in her final semester at West Texas and caring for her horse, Kip. She’s also keeping busy teaching others about her guide dog as president of the Companion Animal Club.

“There were things that could have stopped me, I feel like. And thanks to, you know, everyone in my life, I chose to keep pushing on,” Snapp said. “If you have a dream, please go for it because I promise you can do it.”