UT Senior Supports Local Veterinary Hospital Post-Hurricane Helene
By Vivian DiSalvo (Class of 2026)
Sierra Stancil always felt called to animals, so much so that she chose to start working at Unicoi Animal Hospital in her hometown of Erwin, Tennessee, at the age of 14. When she found out her mentor there went to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Stancil knew she had to follow in her footsteps. Now Stancil is completing her senior year, but transitioning to college came with significant hurdles.
“I’m a first-generation college student, and I also come from a low-income background,” Stancil says. “With the Howard and Ruby Wilkerson Scholarship and other support I received from UT, I’ve seen how much easier it can be if I’d had the security and opportunities growing up as I do now.”
“Donor support makes it possible for me to chase my passions at UT, where I study animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. I hope to one day become a veterinarian, work in my hometown, and aid those who struggle with caring for their pets.”
Sierra Stancil
When she started, Stancil began as a kennel attendant and later became a veterinary assistant. Now, she works at Central Veterinary Hospital in downtown Knoxville, studying animal science with a concentration in veterinary medicine.
Although she always had a strong calling to veterinary medicine, she never knew exactly what she wanted to do. However, the support she has received at UT and from others gave her a deeper motivation: to help other disadvantaged families in any way she could. For Stancil, this meant caring for the pets and animals of individuals who might not be able to afford those services otherwise.
“I’ve seen how people or families with a lower income were not supported, and I’ve seen how much stress—unnecessary stress—it can put on them,” she says. “I’ve also seen and experienced the other side of the coin. My cat, for instance, is a reminder of what a little help from others can do.”
Stancil’s cat
Stancil’s own cat was kindly given to her by a local Erwin woman who rescued strays, took them to the vet to receive preliminary medical care, and then gave them away for those who wanted pets but couldn’t afford the associated expense. Stancil was lucky enough to adopt the cat, and five years later the little calico named Mary Jane still lives with Stancil.
“I want to do things like she did, to help people keep a furry companion that can make life a little sweeter without the stress of finances,” says Stancil.
A group of volunteers who assisted Erwin following Hurricane Helene
When her hometown, Erwin, was devastated by Hurricane Helene, Stancil got that opportunity. Feeling desperate to help, Stancil sprang into action to do whatever she could. In a full circle moment, she partnered with Unicoi Animal Hospital, the veterinary clinic where she got her start, to help care for the animals amid the storm damage. She was also able to help care for animals injured in the storm at Central Vet Hospital in Knoxville, giving back to the community that once helped her.
“Serving my hometown has lit a fire in my soul to continue supporting those in need. The huge response from UT and across the state has shown me what it means to be a Volunteer.”
Sierra Stancil
“If I didn’t have a scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to take off work to go volunteer and help my community in their time of need.”
This scholarship has been life-changing for Stancil—not only in that it gave her new opportunities, but it helped her to find her calling in life: helping those that are disadvantaged. Stancil says she can’t express enough gratitude for donors who make situations like this possible: “If someone comes to you in a time of need and you are able to help, you should. Kindness spreads.”
