My experience with caring for animals came long before I even understood what veterinary medicine was. As a little girl I was always trying to help little critters that I found outside, from bugs to birds and everything in between. I remember a time that I found a baby bird in my backyard and in my young mind I believed it was injured and that it needed my help, so of course my first thought was to put it in a shoe box and bring it inside to care for it. I can't say my mother was very happy about my plan to turn my bedroom into a bird hospital, but I can say it has always been my first instinct to help an animal in need. I started off my career in veterinary medicine as a vet assistant and during that time I really saw how I could make a difference in people's lives. Certainly, there is value in providing care for animals that need it, but I learned that it goes so much further than that. One of the experiences that made me realize this was when an older gentleman brought his Cocker Spaniel into the office for a regular yearly visit. When this exam started it seemed like an insignificant moment as we went through our normal routine, but when the veterinarian started to discuss additional things that we could do for his dog he told us that this dog was his wife's dog and that she had recently passed away. He told us with tears in his eyes that he really never liked dogs that much but was doing his best to do right by his wife. This changed my entire perspective not only on what that appointment meant for that owner, but what veterinary medicine offers people. We were doing more than updating that dog's yearly vaccinations and sending her home with flea and tick medication. By caring for his dog, we were helping that man honor his late wife's memory and helping him through the hardest things he's ever delt with in his life. This experience led me to pursue an education in veterinary science, because I want a career that can make a difference in people's lives. I think it is extraordinary to have a career where you can help people in ways you never even realized by doing even the simplest things. I hope to touch as many lives as possible during my career as a veterinarian.

I think in order to address the importance of preserving purebred dog breeds, you must address why people look to adopt dogs in the first place. Most people are adopting dogs for the purpose of companionship or to perform a job. In both situations, there is value in the predictability of a purebred dog. When you look to a responsible breeder to obtain a particular breed of dog you have a certain level of guarantee for physical traits, behavior, and temperament. Having the predictability of a purebred dog increases the likelihood that the dog will be better incorporated into the owner’s lifestyle, which results in an improved quality of life for both the animal and the human. For example, a person who lives an active lifestyle that is looking to adopt a dog will likely desire a breed that can be incorporated into the types of activities that the owner participates in. I am sure most people would agree that it would be outrageous to adopt a brachycephalic breed, such as a Bull Dog, to be a running partner. In contrast, it would not be appropriate for someone with a less active lifestyle to adopt a Belgian Malinois. There is so much variety between dog breeds and each breed has something unique to offer. I think it is extremely important for veterinarians to help maintain that variety, so that people can make informed decisions about what works best for their family when they choose to adopt a dog. The only way to maintain the health for future generations is for veterinarians to willing participate and help breeders make responsible decisions when it comes to breeding their dogs.

My experience with caring for animals came long before I even understood what veterinary medicine was. As a little girl I was always trying to help little critters that I found outside, from bugs to birds and everything in between. I remember a time that I found a baby bird in my backyard and in my young mind I believed it was injured and that it needed my help, so of course my first thought was to put it in a shoe box and bring it inside to care for it. I can't say my mother was very happy about my plan to turn my bedroom into a bird hospital, but I can say it has always been my first instinct to help an animal in need. Eventually, as I got older that desire to care for animals blossomed into a dream to attend veterinary school. As I gained more experience and exposure to what veterinary medicine really was, I could see that it was a career where you could really make a difference in people lives. I am passionate about the field of veterinary science because it opens up the opportunity to form intimate relationships with people in my community and offer them care to their beloved pets. I think it is really special to be there to support people in times when they are welcoming a new pet into their families, but also to be there for them when it is time to say goodbye to their pets. Those are such pivotal moments in the lives of both the pet and the human. I think that the best veterinarians understand that when performed with sincerity their services can benefit more than just the animal they are treating, but also the human. My experience in veterinary medicine has connected me to so many people that I wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to meet, which has taught me that I can find connections to people who may seem different than myself in all other ways. I have learned that people can come from all sorts of different backgrounds and walks of life but can share a very similar belief that the welfare of animals is a priority. I feel that offering medical care to family pets is just one of the ways that my career as a veterinarian can contribute to my community. I believe that my contributions to veterinary science will enhance public health safety by monitoring for emerging zoonotic diseases and diseases that could harm local wildlife, which are also important to the community. I hope to touch as many lives as I can during my career as a veterinarian.