My journey within the veterinary field began with countless hours of volunteering at the local animal shelter, where I helped with vaccination fairs and pet care awareness. Naturally, once accepted into veterinary school three years ago, my goal was to become a shelter medicine veterinarian. I believed shelters were the best way to provide accessible and affordable care within the veterinary field. However, since starting my clinical years last October, my outlook on my future veterinary career has changed. I will never forget the first patient and owner I genuinely connected with. To maintain anonymity, let’s call the patient “Zeus”. Zeus was boarding with us throughout the week as he received radiation therapy. I was tasked with ensuring Zeus was fed, walked, had taken his medications, and had received daily treatment. I would also call his owner to update him on Zeus twice a day. We would chat on the phone and share ideas on how to make Zeus’ stay at the hospital a better experience for all, without making it financially challenging for Zeus’ owner. After the first week, we developed a true owner-veterinarian relationship, and I established a strong bond with Zeus as well. I had not realized the impact we’ve had on each other’s lives until it was time for me to rotate off to another service within the hospital. Though I was no longer Zeus’ primary veterinary student, I was asked to be present when he was discharged after his last radiation therapy treatment. Seeing them reunited was an incredibly rewarding feeling, as I knew Zeus’ owner and I had efficiently worked together for a pet we both cared about. Though it wasn’t through an animal shelter, we were able to provide excellent care for Zeus while still considering his financial constraints. I realized accessibility of care can be achieved in every specialty, not just shelter medicine. In three years, I am not sure where I will be. However, regardless of if I become a shelter veterinarian, I will continue advocating for and providing accessible and affordable care without compromising the quality of medicine. I will also continue volunteering in community outreach events, such as spays-neuter and vaccination fairs, as I have done in past years. Nevertheless, as with Zeus, I will have many patients I will love throughout my career. As I venture into the veterinary workforce, I will maintain constant and honest communication will all owners in hopes of establishing long-lasting relationships. Though my path within the veterinary field is still not fully paved yet, I will strive to positively impact all lives I work with.

In the near future, I see myself giving back to my community. I started my pre-veterinary journey by volunteering at shelters and spay-neuter fairs in Puerto Rico, and I plan to continue educating and serving the low-income communities that helped raise me. For this reason, as I venture into my clinical years, I'm currently focusing on acquiring shelter medicine experience and doing as many spays and neuters as possible. As a volunteer for ViDAS, an organization that offers free spays and neuters throughout Latin America, I saw how accessible veterinary care positively impacts families that work hard to keep their pets healthy. I believe there's a common misconception in veterinary medicine regarding pet care, and it is the idea that only people that can afford expensive treatments should be pet parents. Though I strongly believe in being a responsible owner by understanding a pet's economic needs, there are ways to help our less privileged communities access their pets' vaccines, spays and neuters, and primary care. By volunteering in these free events, starting tabs with donations from generous companies and individuals, and focusing on affordable shelter care, we can educate owners and provide excellent veterinary care. Growing up, my family struggled with paying bills and my education. However, adopting a cat from the local shelter was the best decision we made. Her name was Rossy Margarita, named after my favorite Caillou character and flower (daisy), and she was a member of our family for 17 years. Most of her appointments were at the shelter, but she never lacked love, food, or the freedom to roam around or stay inside. She was my first patient and the reason I pursued veterinary medicine. I found comfort knowing she was waiting for us every day by the front door. She always had food available, so dinner was never her motivation but simply knowing we were home safe before dark. All families, regardless of their backgrounds, deserve a friend who looks out for them. All individuals deserve accessible health care and the opportunity to expand their families without worrying about not being able to afford their care. As a soon-to-be veterinarian, I took an oath to serve my community and my patients with respect and responsible medicine. Be it in three years or three decades, I will be working towards becoming an exceptional shelter veterinarian. Similarly, I will advocate for accessible veterinary care and hopefully recruit others throughout my journey.