The screen was hard to read. I was stuck at home learning how to learn again. Online learning was how I began my first year of high school due to covid and the one thing that made this feel impossible was the fact I was recovering from a significant concussion. This was not the best way to start high school. Online school where screens were to be avoided proved to be a serious challenge and one that I was ready to accept. Despite having a learning disability as well, I learned that there is more than one way to grow in knowledge and in my studies. Looking at this situation as an opportunity rather than a challenge changed my focus and made me think creatively and “out of the box.” Writing, voice recordings and podcasts helped elevate the subject matter and I was able to better understand the learning materials provided by my teachers. Through navigating diverse ways to learn, I helped my friends find success when they struggled with online learning and course material. As I worked through the challenges of vision issues, headaches, comprehension, and fatigue I was able to see that the world is not black and white, that all students work and learn in diverse ways and the speed bump that was my concussion turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The skills I learned as I walked through recovery and online school have continued to help me as I finish my high school career and I suspect that they will only help me as I step into the world of college life and study. So, when opportunity knocks, it is wise to open the door. My BioScience Career Academy teacher did not have to ask me twice to serve at an internship at a local animal hospital. The possibility of shadowing and learning from a veterinarian in a field I would like to go into was a chance I did not want to miss. When a door like this opens for students with learning disorders such as me, it would be wise to walk through and seize all the opportunities at growing in their field of study – not just to serve themselves but to grow in knowledge and the ability to help and serve their community as well. There was I was discouraged at times and had to spend more hours than my friends studying and learning giving up wasn't an option. I believe this struggle only prepared me for the future and my ultimate goal of attending CSU Veterinary School in Fort Collins. At the internship, the decision to continue my education in the biology field and be able to provide quality and affordable care to animals back in my community was solidified. Having goals give me meaning and helps in the decisions I make from this time forward.

From an early age, my fondness for animals has greatly influenced my interests and life decisions. Combining my passion for animals and a sincere desire to contribute to my community, I found myself serving over 1200 hours in voluntary service at the American Dog School. My time volunteering has not only afforded me tremendous personal satisfaction but also taught me many life lessons. This experience, where I spent countless hours training and caring for dogs, has deepened my understanding and compassion towards animals. This sense of fulfillment has solidified my decision to pursue a career as a veterinary assistant. My profound love for animals and sense of accomplishment that comes from contributing to animal welfare along with my desire to have a stable career that aligns with my passions drives my desire to become a vet tech. My ongoing dedication to volunteer service and my aspiration to study veterinary science serve as the key foundations leading me to a career as a veterinary assistant. This decision was finalized by my experience as an intern at Tabby Road Animal Hospital in Wellington, CO. I participated in a variety of activities such as providing basic care, managing dietary requirements, organizing therapeutic sessions, and even taking trips to treat livestock. It was through these experiences that I acquired crucial skills that I believe will be imperative in my future role as a veterinary assistant. This journey ignited my love and passion for animals and set my path toward a fulfilling career in veterinary care. My loveor animals has always inspired a profound sense of responsibility towards their well-being. Having the opportunity to work with animals every day and make significant contributions to their lives and their owners is incredibly appealing. As a horse walker at Iron Horse Therapeutic Riding Academy, I experienced how animals have a positive influence in the lives of people around them. Being able to serve families with their pets will be a very rewarding career path. The strides I've made towards becoming a veterinary assistant are borne out of my personal conviction to render services to creatures who often can’t speak for themselves. I am determined to employ my passion and dedication for the welfare of animals to make a significant difference in my community. Pursuing this career isn't merely a professional path for me, it's a lifetime commitment, a calling. My decision to enhance my expertise by getting a vet tech certification prior to vet school would bolster my readiness for the demanding yet rewarding journey ahead.

The first book I ever wrote was about a girl and her dog. I was five. As a child, I would read every single book, and watch every show and movie there was about animals. I couldn’t get enough! I knew I wanted to be a Vet when I was in first grade. My dad helped me build a cardboard vet clinic, where I would tend to my stuffed animals. As a young child, my disability made it harder for me to adjust to new situations. So whenever our family went to someone’s house and I got overstimulated, I would always seek out their pet and would almost instantly feel better. There is joy and comfort from the unconditional love animals give you. In the summer of 2023, an amazing opportunity presented itself that set in stone that veterinary medicine is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. This opportunity was an internship at Tabby Road Animal Hospital, in Wellington, Colorado. During this internship, I learned the basic Vet Tech duties such as drawing blood, running various types of tests, setting up and monitoring surgery, and putting in an IV catheter. I also got to go on numerous farm calls and observed how Dr. Zadina cares for livestock such as cows and horses. I even assisted with a horse’s teeth floating once. I believe that all animals deserve a chance at a good quality of life. Not all cases at the clinic were successful, but we tried our best to give those animals the best quality of life. One day at the clinic a dog rescue called us and asked for our help. They recently rescued some cocker spaniels from a puppy mill, and they were covered in mats and probably had various other health issues that needed to be addressed, however, they were too aggressive. These dogs reeked of urine and were covered from head to paw in mats. After sedation, our team worked for 6 hours to get every single mat out of the dogs’ fur, give them a bath, and finally a nail trim. A few weeks later after a health check-up, we could see the attitude of these dogs change. They were happier and healthier. Seeing this as a result of our time and compassion was incredible and rewarding. This is why becoming a vet would fulfill my lifelong dream of helping animals live the life that they deserve.

“You promised me a dog,” was something I said often to my father after moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. In the spring of 2020 when everything shut down, I finally convinced my father to get a dog. We adopted a retriever mix puppy, who we named Brody. He was a disobedient puppy, so we turned to a trainer for help. We came across American Dog School, and after a few sessions, we could see a slight difference in our new dog. A month later I had a bad bike accident that resulted in a broken elbow, wrist, a separated shoulder, and a severe concussion. Due to my injuries, we were going to rehome Brody. After we told our trainer Tami about rehoming him, she offered to take him in her board and train program for 3 weeks free of charge, after discussing that we were unable to afford the board and train program. Tami ended up keeping him for 5 weeks because he needed the extra training. After the board and train, he was a more teachable dog. He has done so well, that I decided to do 4H with him, and in 2023 I won Overall Reserve Grand Champion at the Larimer County Fair. After my recovery in 2020, I started to volunteer at American Dog School. I helped clean kennels, pick up around the yard, train dogs, and I even got to help clean her horse’s stalls. After a few weeks, she took me out on a trail ride, and I fell in love with one of her horses, Bogey. I have ridden horses since I was 7 but stopped when I was 12 due to not being able to afford lessons. Tami saw my love for Bogey, and she let me have him. She paid for everything, but I was able to call him mine. Even though 25 and not as physically able as her younger horse, it didn’t matter to me. He gave me an escape from reality and helped me so much in dealing with the global pandemic. In April 2023, one of her horses fell down a tornado shelter and suffered many injuries. Taking care of him and helping rehabilitate him, inspired me to pursue a career in equine veterinary science. I want to help animals in need and give them a second chance in life. During the summer of 2023, I had an amazing opportunity to intern at Tabby Road Animal Hospital. Where I learned basic vet-tech duties such as drawing blood, doing various tests, putting in an IV catheter, and monitoring surgery. I loved helping animals in need and watching them thrive after treatment. Even if not all stories were successful, watching the ones that were was so worth it and I can’t wait to be able to do this for the rest of my life. If 8-year-old me could see where I am today, she would be ecstatic.

It all started when I woke up from the blackout. I had no idea I was riding that fast and my ADHD brain thought that jumping the curb on my bike at full speed was a great idea. What could go wrong? Well, everything and anything could go wrong. The next few minutes were a complete blur. How did I get home? How did I manage to lose my keys to the house in the process of my accident? Why did my head hurt so much? The next day at our doctor's office it became clear. A torn left shoulder, a broken left elbow and a broken right wrist were the least concerning of all my injuries. It was the severe concussion that had everyone concerned. No computer screens, no phone, no exercise, just a dark room and resting. 2020 was already a challenging year but spending the summer completely isolated and recovering wasn't in my plans. I already knew I made a poor choice thinking I could jump the curb, I just didn't know how much this choice would affect the beginning of high school and the rest of my learning career. As it was 2020, school began in the worst way possible for me - online. The screen was hard to read. I was stuck at home learning how to learn again. Online learning was not the ideal way to begin high school. I started out by failing, by struggling and really thinking I wasn't going to be able to achieve anything let alone become a veterinarian. Online school and the need for screens were to be avoided proved to be a serious challenge and one that I had to accept. Despite having a learning disability as well, I learned that there is more than one way to grow in knowledge and in my classes. Looking at this situation as an opportunity rather than a challenge changed my focus and made me think creatively and “out of the box.” Writing, voice recordings and podcasts helped elevate the subject matter and I was able to better understand the learning materials provided by my teachers. Through navigating these different ways to learn and grow, I helped my friends find success when they struggled with online learning and course material. As I worked through the challenges of vision issues, headaches, comprehension, and fatigue I was able to see that the world is not black and white, that all students work and learn in diverse ways and the speed bump that was my concussion turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The skills I learned as I walked through recovery and online school have continued to help me as I finish my high school career and I suspect that they will only help me as I step into the world of college life and study.

Community service has influenced my life experiences which have all been shaped by a desire to make a difference in the world and help those in need, especially animals. I have worked hard to cultivate a sense of empathy and service in my own life, and it has been reflected in my academic and extracurricular life. I have signed up for more extracurriculars to get more opportunities to help our community. I am currently part of 6 clubs at our school, and all have helped me grow as a person. I also like to volunteer outside of school where I can. Spending time at the American Dog School was not only fulfilling but I was able to serve families and animals in my community. As a member of AVID, I have also worked as a mentor for younger students, helping them to build their confidence and improve academically. When I was 9, I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love. Ever since then, I have grown my hair out to donate every two years. Making it 4 times that I have donated. In the fall of 2020, my sister and I ran a small canned food drive in our neighborhood to support a local food bank. We have collected hundreds of pounds of food that was distributed to people in need. Through my activities, I developed my leadership skills and demonstrated a commitment to helping and supporting others. My passion for service and desire to make a positive impact both now and in the future motivates me to continuously strive for excellence. I have spent 1,360 hours of my life volunteering and engaging in activities that help and support my community. From becoming a mentor for younger high school students to volunteering with our church food bank and VBS, I’ve personally witnessed the positive impact created when I put the needs of others before my own. A quote by James Keller says “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle,” meaning it doesn't hurt to make sure a child gets a toy for Christmas, or give someone a free meal, or give a child with cancer a wig. Helping others has shaped me into who I am today. My friends and family would describe me as selfless, kind, and giving. I am always the first person to sign up for volunteer opportunities or help others in the classroom, even if I am not finished with my work. If my teachers need anything, I am always willing to help. Ever since I was little I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up. By being a veterinarian, I can give back to my community by helping animals in need and their families. I know most families don’t have the money to give proper care to their animals, so by offering free vaccine clinics and low vet bills I can help more animals get the care that they need. These are just a few ways I can give back to my community within my career.

It hasn't ever been a question for me, I always knew. There might have been one year in elementary school where I wanted to be a rock star or astronaut, but I always knew I wanted to be a vet. Every story, essay, and writing assignment in the infamous, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" essay was answered the same way. "I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up." Nothing has changed. The answer was still the same when my high school counselor posed that question during my ninth-grade year. It isn't an easy road that I have chosen - it is years of schooling, internships, and perseverance. It wasn't even a question of whether I'd go to college but where would I go? School hasn't always been easy for me, but I have always had one goal - to get into vet school. This past summer, I had an internship at a local animal hospital. I was disappointed when it ended! It was everything I thought it would be and more. I was able to observe how important the human/animal relationship is in veterinary care. When treating an animal, you are treating people too. For many of us, our pets become part of our family. For our local farmers and ranchers, their livestock provide for them. Being a part of the process of caring for all creatures is rewarding. When given the opportunity to do house calls with the vet, I jumped at the chance. Some of the house calls were simple, helping a Ferrier with horseshoeing or a cow give birth and some were harder when a dog or cat had to be put down. Realizing that I can be part of helping not only animals but people has motivated to keep working toward my goal. As I met with my high school counselor and AVID teachers, I narrowed down my goals. Being an equine vet will take hard work, time and sacrifice but it is something I have wanted to do since I was five. Every elective was a science class. Every weekend was spent volunteering with horses and dogs at a local training center. Every minute of it was a joy. It may have been work but it didn't feel like work. Being a vet is just being me. I can't imagine being anything else. So, if asked again, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The answer will always be the same.

"I promise when we move to Colorado, you can get a dog." Infamous words from my father when he told us we were moving to Colorado from Illinois when I was eight years old. I remember being so upset, that I ran to my room and slammed my door. It took him six years to fulfill that promise and in March of 2020, we adopted a rescue puppy and named him Brody. He was the runt of the litter. Now he weighs about 90lbs and is clearly not a runt anymore. Brody was exactly what my family and I needed at the height of Covid. My freshman year of high school was difficult as we were in and out of school, online and offline. Brody brought me comfort when we were separated from friends and family. He can see my stress, fear or sadness and knows just when to comfort me. As a puppy, Brody needed a great deal of training and we stumbled upon a great trainer. Our trainer has mentored me and taught me to work with dogs. Her support led to almost 950 volunteer hours training dogs and working with horses at the American Dog School! Being there is my I am at my happiest. My work with our trainer inspired me to try the Dog Competition in 4H. Brody has been a great success! At the Larimer County Fair, he won overall Reserve Grand Champion for Obedience. This past year Brody won Reserve Grand Champion in Obedience and Agility and Grand Champion in Showmanship at the Colorado State Fair! This was the most proud I have ever felt. Brody has been a great dog and led me to want to work with animals for my career. Since grade school, I've wanted to be a vet and Brody sealed the deal. Throughout high school, I've pursued the sciences, volunteering with animals and joining programs to help me reach my goal of getting into CSU Vet School. Recently, I interned at a local animal hospital and loved every moment of it. Being an intern, I was able to work behind the scenes and see the day-to-day operations, procedures and challenges of running a vet clinic. The highlight of my internship was going with the vet on a horse call. Brody isn't just any dog, he is my dog. He loves me on my good and bad days and is always greeting me with the love only a dog can give.