Lyon County Community Engagement Youth Scholarship

Growing up between the Paiute Reservation in Schurz and a cattle ranch in Washoe Valley, I witnessed both the resilience and the challenges of rural life. These experiences shaped my identity and ignited a lifelong commitment to serving communities. As I prepare to graduate from veterinary school, I carry with me not only clinical training but a deep sense of purpose rooted in family, agriculture, and the belief that meaningful change begins with service. In the short term, I plan to return to central Nevada and establish a rural mixed animal practice. Veterinary support in this region is critically limited—some producers are hours from the nearest clinic. I aim to fill that gap by working as a mobile practitioner, offering accessible, high-quality care tailored to the needs of ranching families. My background as a ranch hand and my current clinical experience at Cornell’s Teaching Animal Hospital have prepared me to serve both individual animals and herd-level operations. I also plan to help run my family’s cattle ranch, contributing directly to food animal production and rural sustainability. Alongside clinical practice, I am creating a rancher education program designed to teach producers how to doctor livestock in the field when veterinary care isn’t accessible. I believe in meeting ranchers where they are—with practical, hands-on guidance that supports both animal health and livelihoods. This program will include workshops, printed resources, and on-site support, empowering ranchers with the tools they need to care for their animals confidently and responsibly. It’s a way to extend the reach of veterinary medicine while honoring the independence and expertise of producers. This program is deeply personal. It honors my late brother, a cowboy whose grit, compassion, and love for the land continue to inspire me. After his passing in June 2023, my family and I founded "A Cowboy’s Halo", a nonprofit that provides scholarships to aspiring cowboys and cowgirls. I serve as chair of the scholarship committee, and through this work, I’ve seen how financial support and mentorship can open doors for young people in agriculture. I want to continue expanding this effort, creating opportunities for future generations to thrive in rural professions. I’m also passionate about mental health advocacy, particularly within agricultural veterinary communities. The loss of a beloved mentor to suicide—himself a rural mixed animal practitioner—was a devastating reminder of the pressures faced by those who serve in isolated, high-stakes environments. In response, I’ve begun developing a mental health initiative aimed at creating safe spaces for veterinary professionals to share their struggles and access support. I believe that healing animals and supporting producers must go hand-in-hand with caring for the caregivers themselves. Long-term, I envision a practice that not only provides veterinary care but also serves as a hub for education, mentorship, and community resilience. I want to build programs that empower producers, support young professionals, and honor the legacy of those who came before me. Whether it’s through clinical service, nonprofit work, or mental health advocacy, my goal is to make rural Nevada a place where animals are well cared for, ranchers are supported, and future generations have the tools they need to succeed. I am passionate about making my community a better place because it’s where my story began—and where I want it to continue. My family, my patients, and my neighbors deserve access to care, compassion, and opportunity. By investing in rural veterinary medicine, producer education, and mental health, I hope to be a change maker who strengthens the fabric of the community I love—for myself, for my family, and for those who will follow.