I like this story. Actually, I'm a graduate of the Biology program at Texas A&M, and you're certainly right... there's not another vet school you hear about in Texas except us. :) Damn hard to get into, too... you need better grades than most med schools require.

As for distance, though... I drove from A&M to the Rio Grande in one direction, and it took me twelve hours... never left the state. If by close, you therefore mean a day's drive or less, well, you have it. :) I also have friends who live in the Valley, and they laugh when I complain about the 3.5 hours to reach Dallas.