My path toward veterinary medicine—and more specifically veterinary dermatology—has been shaped not only by my passion for animals, but also by my personal experiences living with chronic skin conditions. Having struggled with contact dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis for many years, I understand firsthand the physical discomfort, emotional frustration, and complexity that often accompany dermatologic disease. These experiences have fostered a deep sense of empathy and a desire to better understand and treat similar conditions in animals. Growing up, I was always responsible for caring for our pets and advocating for their health. While my love for animals developed early, my interest in dermatology came much later and, at first, reluctantly. I initially avoided dermatologic cases—they felt unpleasant and overwhelming. However, managing my own conditions required patience, long-term care, and collaboration with healthcare providers to identify triggers and effective treatments. Through this process, I began to appreciate the complexity of the skin as an organ—its connection to the immune system and the many internal and external factors that influence its health. This shift in perspective transformed my aversion into curiosity. During my first year of veterinary school, I built a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical skills. While I enjoyed all areas, it was during my second- and third-year clinical observations that my personal and academic interests aligned. Cases involving allergies, contact dermatitis, and autoimmune skin disease felt familiar. I recognized parallels between my own experiences and those of veterinary patients, particularly in the challenge of identifying underlying causes and managing chronic conditions. One of the most impactful cases for me, however, was not a traditional dermatology case. During my small animal emergency rotation, a dog rescued from a house fire was admitted for severe burns. Participating in the treatment of his wounds, his long-term ICU care, and educating the owner about managing the lasting skin damage reinforced my interest in dermatology. This case highlighted how skin conditions often reflect broader systemic challenges and require comprehensive, long-term care—something I deeply relate to. My personal experiences have also shaped how I approach client communication. I understand how discouraging chronic skin conditions can be, especially when improvement is slow or inconsistent. I find fulfillment in educating pet owners, identifying potential triggers, and developing realistic management plans. Building trust and supporting both patients and owners through ongoing care is one of the most meaningful aspects of this field. As I continue my training, I actively seek opportunities to deepen my knowledge through dermatology seminars, medical journals, and mentorship from specialists within our hospital. I am particularly interested in advancements in allergy diagnostics, including intradermal testing, and improved approaches to managing food allergies—areas that closely relate to my own experiences. I hope to contribute to developing more effective and streamlined diagnostic and treatment strategies in the future. Looking ahead, I plan to keep the path to specializing in veterinary dermatology open. My goal is to combine my clinical training with my personal insight to provide compassionate, effective care for animals with skin disease while supporting their owners through what can often be a long and challenging journey. My interest in dermatology is both professional and deeply personal. My experiences with chronic skin disease have given me a perspective rooted in empathy, resilience, and curiosity—qualities I am committed to bringing into my future in veterinary medicine.

The preservation of purebred dogs does not revolve solely around aesthetics or tradition but is essential to ethical ownership which is intertwined closely with veterinary medicine. Each breed has been diligently developed over multiple generations to serve a specific role (i.e.: herding, hunting, showmanship, etc.). Selective breeding of these lineages has led to genetic modification, enhancing both the unique physical and temperamental characteristics of the breed. The eradication of purebreds would be catastrophic, not only resulting in a major loss of genetic diversity but also the history and cultural significance behind each breed.  As our field becomes increasingly dominated by mixed-breed dogs it is our responsibility as veterinarians to recognize and protect the irreplaceable genetic diversity of the purebred dog population. Allowing unethical or inappropriate breeding leads to dilution or even complete loss of their natural genetic makeup. Affecting more than just appearances, as it would lead to a loss of functionality and the purpose for which the breed was originally created. For example, consider the bernadoodle, a recent bandwagon idolizing “doodle” mixes has led to irresponsible breeding, creating crosses of dogs whose temperamental and functional characteristics directly clash. One may ultimately have a “hypoallergenic” dog that is the perfect size for the American Dream, but with no regard for the fact that Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred for search and rescue. Encouraging breeders to instead cater to the demand of the public with no regard for the instinctive drive of the animal, leading to a plethora of behavioral problems that then further burden the shelter system.    Responsible breeding practices should focus on maintaining genetic diversity and animal health as they are crucial aspects in the prevention of hereditary disorders. Especially those that are becoming increasingly prevalent in some purebred lines, such as the Golden Retriever. It is our responsibility to work with and educate breeders on the importance of ethical crossing that further diversifies the genetic pool. For example, the creation of the Missouri Mule was prompted by the need for a hard-working hoofstock animal that could be temperature-resistant and utilize energy sources more efficiently. While the Missouri Mule is a cross between two different species the same principles can be applied to purebred dog breeding, optimizing the traits received by the offspring. Ultimately it is we who must advocate for appropriate breeding practices that prioritize welfare over profit or aesthetic appeal. By prioritizing animal health and the maintenance of genetic diversity in canine breeding programs, we can ensure that future generations are able to retain their distinctive traits and longevity. Client education is also a critical factor in this battle; we must inform prospective owners about the importance of researching and choosing a reputable breeder. One that focuses on the health of their animals, temperament testing, and ethical breeding practices. As veterinary professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that these breeds do not vanish from future generations. So, for the love of dogs and their companionship, we must be committed to the health and preservation of purebreds.

My journey in veterinary medicine began with numerous volunteering hours with local animal shelters, animal control, and at various veterinary hospitals. Those experiences exposed me to a spectrum of veterinary care, and I realized that quality medicine can take different forms everywhere. This is especially evident when traveling home to visit my family in Peru because they hold different cultural beliefs about medicine. While I can see firsthand how different care is for pets there, regardless of where you go there is always one common theme: pets are family, and often receive the highest quality of care possible even if that means their humans are required to make financial, emotional, or physical sacrifices. This theme is exemplified by the case of “Apollo”, a young German Shorthaired Pointer who possessed the habit of consuming things he wasn't supposed to. He presented with classic signs of a gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction, and after diagnostics, we confirmed this. Apollo's first surgery was successful after the removal of two socks and an entire roll of baby wipes. However, his recovery was tumultuous. Apollo went back to surgery the next day because his incision had dehisced overnight becoming almost gangrenous. We completed an abdominal exploration; however, finding no apparent cause, all we could do was clean him up and hope for the best. I remember sitting with him for hours, encouraging him to eat something so that he would have enough strength to fight off his infection. Fortunately, the doctor had sent off a swab for culturing and the results were shocking. Resistance to almost every antimicrobial drug except Baytril. Apollo was in-and-out of our hospital for three weeks with another two procedures to address the infection. I slept next to his cage most nights and when his owners left for vacation over Memorial Day Weekend I was the first to volunteer to stay in the hospital and provide overnight care, even though we typically did not offer those services on holidays. Eventually, after a lot of love and care from our staff, Apollo recovered successfully. When I was accepted into veterinary school my goal was to become the best veterinarian possible and provide the highest quality of care. Initially, I believed that could not be achieved outside of a specialty hospital. Because, those veterinarians are the best in their field, right? While that may be true Apollo's case and becoming a foster through the humane society has taught me that best medicine can be provided anywhere, as long as there is a passion for it. Often, there is this stigma that shelters and general practices don't provide quality medicine because they cut corners to be cheaper; however, that is wholly inaccurate. They tend to be two of the areas within veterinary medicine that offer some of the best care. Once I removed myself from that stigma my eyes were opened and the outlook on my future veterinary career changed drastically. While my path is not yet paved I currently plan to enter general practice upon graduation, with an additional emphasis on providing quality emergency care because people often lack the financial means or physical access. However, regardless of where I end up, I will always advocate for accessible and affordable veterinary care that does not compromise the quality of care provided. There are many cases that I have been involved in and there will be many more in the future. Through them all, I will prioritize honest communication in hopes of establishing long-term relationships with my clients, so that I may positively impact all of the lives that I am fortunate enough to touch.