3 Must-read inspiring stories
Megan Leavey, Kevin Costner and Donnie Campbell share their personal experiences with veterinary audiences.
What do a Marine Corps corporal, a high school basketball coach and an A-list movie actor have in common? They all delivered inspiring keynote addresses at US veterinary conferences in 2025, sharing their personal stories and words of encouragement for attendees. Read more about each of these individuals as follows:
Megan Leavey, a former military police canine handler with the Marine Corps, took the stage at the 2025 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Washington, DC, to discuss her life in the armed forces and fight to adopt the dog she worked during her enlistment.
Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Costner shared heartfelt stories about animals, purpose and perseverance during the opening-day keynote address at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), in Orlando, Florida.
Donnie Campbell, the coach who inspired Ted Lasso, shared experiences leading teams and players with NAVC SkillShop attendees in Orlando. His former players included a then-teenaged Jason Sudeikis, the actor and comedian in the show’s eponymous role.