A Life of Care, Rooted in Gratitude

"I knew immediately that I wanted to name him Melly," she says. "I was so moved — not just by Mr. Melly's generosity, but by the fact that he wanted to meet the students he was helping," says Barkley, recalling her first-year scholarship dinner with Tom and Judith H. Melly L.H.D. '16. "I remember being shy and a bit overwhelmed to meet Mr. Melly and his wife; I just shook his hand and thanked him. I was deeply touched that someone cared enough to invest their time and money in me. It's stayed with me all these years."

That deep sense of gratitude and empathy has shaped Barkley's life. Today, as the owner and lead veterinarian of Springs Road Animal Hospital in Hickory, N.C., she fulfills the calling she has felt since she was five years old — providing wellness, hospitalization and emergency services alongside a caring, compassionate team. (And the dog in her business' signature logo was modeled after Melly.)

At HWS, Barkley thrived as both a scholar and citizen. She graduated cum laude in environmental studies with a minor in biology, earned the President's Civic Leadership Award, and volunteered through America Reads, Jumpstart and America Counts. She studied abroad in Queensland, Australia, and spent her summers conducting water-quality research on Seneca Lake with Professor of Environmental Studies John Halfman.

"To this day, I can still feel that summer air while aboard the William Scandling research vessel," she says. "Those experiences gave me the scientific foundation I needed for graduate school and for running a medical practice today."

She also fondly remembers Professor of Biology Mark Deutschlander's evolution course, as well as conversations with Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies Susan Henking that opened her thinking to new perspectives. "That range of courses — that's why I wanted a liberal arts education," Barkley says. "I came to HWS wanting to be a vet, but I also wanted to see the world in broader ways."

She went on to earn a master's degree in physiology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University and established her clinic in 2020. With a special interest in dermatology and behavioral cases, she considers it a privilege to help animals and guide families in understanding their pets' needs.

Barkley believes in collaboration and care that extends beyond the exam room. "It's about asking a lot of questions, having multiple conversations and realizing that not every pet is right for every family," she says. "As a small-business owner, I partner with groomers, boarders and trainers. We all help each other out."

Outside the practice, Barkley juggles life with her husband, Chad, and their three children, often bringing them to the hospital where she has set up a daycare area. Two cats, Cinderella and Moe, "rule the hospital" — and Carlito, a bossy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is great with the children at home.

Since graduating, Barkley has remained a loyal supporter of HWS, designating her gifts to scholarships and financial aid. "I give for the same reason I was helped," she says. "HWS gave me such a wonderful opportunity, and I want other students from all backgrounds to have that too."

Melly the dog has long since passed — but his namesake, and the spirit of generosity behind it, continues to shape Barkley's life and work. The puppy named for a trustee. The trustee whose scholarship made HWS possible. The clinic logo modeled on the puppy. A loop that keeps closing on itself, a little tighter each turn.