Whether Dealing with Pooches or Patients, Anna Shoop Explores Her Passions

Shoop, who enjoyed a unique academic career, also works as a professional dog handler, having prepared dogs to show at major venues including the Westminster Kennel Club and Philadelphia Kennel Club. 

A Harrisburg native, Shoop visited colleges “up and down the east coast” before settling on Duquesne after talking with a professor at the University’s Preview Day.

“We were talking about advanced pharmacy practice rotations that occur in the final year of the program, and the professor mentioned that one rotation involved working at a veterinary clinic,” she said. “This tied into my passion for dogs, and it worked out perfectly.” She went on to complete the rotation at the veterinary clinic this past year.

Shoop’s passions also extend to serving communities. During one semester break, she volunteered at a saw mill in Mullins, West Virginia, to help build an events center to stimulate the region’s economy. 

“It was a very hands-on experience,” she said. “We handled the timber, carrying logs and working on different machines to help provide the materials needed for the center. The people of Mullins are incredibly gracious, and it was really rewarding to be part of this project.”

The community aspect also reflects Duquesne’s commitment to promoting health equity in the region. Like many pharmacy students, Shoop regularly volunteered at health fairs where she could gain experience engaging with the public.

“I volunteered at our annual Health and Wellness Fair in Market Square with Kappa Epsilon to educate patients on the prevention of breast and ovarian cancer, the importance of screenings, and how to perform a breast self-examination,” she said. “I look forward to doing more outreach events in the future.”

Shoop’s experience also extended to helping fellow pharmacy students as a new member educator for Kappa Epsilon, where she helped to integrate pharmacy students into the organization. She educated new and chapter members in obtaining service, professional, national, social, and pre-professional credits.

As for the dog handling gig, Shoop says she plans to continue it as a hobby. Her focus now is on using her degree to work in an oncology or acute care setting.

“My experience at Duquesne has provided me with so many hands-on opportunities to learn and become part of a community,” she said. “I’m looking forward to using those experiences to make a difference in patient’s lives.”