Donald Mehall Memorial Scholarship

At seven, living on the reservation with my parents, we navigated a life neither wealthy nor poor. Despite the turmoil caused by my father's struggles with alcoholism and the aggressively abusive environment at home, a pivotal moment on my seventh birthday illuminated a path that would shape my future. My father, absent for months, returned with a gift — a pink toy medical set. This seemingly simple gift ignited a flame within me, sparking an early fascination with the medical care of animals. Lacking regular veterinary care for our horses, dogs, and cats due to financial constraints, I improvised, using my toy medical set to tend to our animals. My stethoscope, though nonfunctional, became a tool for listening to imaginary heartbeats, and my toy thermometer found its way into the mouths of our pets, all driven by an innate desire to care for them. This childhood experience planted the seed of my dream to become a veterinarian. Due to neglect reasons, I was removed from my family at the age of 12 and placed in foster care, I found myself in a home with a farm and a foster parent who happened to be a veterinarian. For a year, I immersed myself in the world of veterinary medicine, absorbing knowledge and fueling my determination to pursue my childhood dream. As the years unfolded, I faced numerous challenges. Working as a veterinary assistant while juggling two other jobs during high school, I struggled with high school, due to all of my responsibilities outside of school, but persevered by doubling up on classes, playing sports, and graduating early. Realizing that education held the key to providing a better life for my family, I enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat medic at 19, with the promise of a free college education, structure, and diversity. While actively serving, I pursued my degree at American Military University, the sole institution that accommodated my rigorous schedule and commitment to duty, natural science sparked an interest, and I loved every second of my learning experience. Deploying to Iraq in 2023, as a medical sergeant and platoon leader, I found myself working side by side with a veterinarian and physician assistant, tending to both human and animal lives during emergency surgeries and providing quality-of-life care to animals in and around local villages. Amid the intensity of a patrol in enemy territory, I sustained major shrapnel wounds that marked a turning point in my life. Medically airlifted to the U.S., I spent a month recovering, grappling not only with physical wounds but also with the invisible scars of PTSD. In the subsequent time, as I wrestled with recovery and PTSD, I discovered solace in caring for animals. Volunteering at shelters, zoos, and wildlife rehabilitation programs became a therapeutic outlet. Being medically discharged in July 2024, I redirected my focus toward my ultimate goal — becoming a Veterinarian. My journey is more than a sequence of events; it's a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to a childhood dream. As I embark on the path to becoming a veterinarian, I carry with me the lessons learned from adversity, the healing power of animals, and the profound impact of a childhood dream that has evolved into a lifelong calling.