Community service has been one of the most impactful experiences in shaping my values, my career goals, and my understanding of what it truly means to give back. As someone pursuing a future in veterinary medicine, I wanted hands-on experience working with animals beyond my own pets while also making a meaningful difference for those who depend entirely on others for care and compassion. In 2024, I began volunteering at Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, starting with morning cat care. My responsibilities included feeding cats and kittens, cleaning and refreshing their cages, providing clean water and litter, and offering enrichment through toys and quality time. I later expanded my service to include dog enrichment, where I helped provide social interaction and play for dogs who otherwise spent most of their time confined to kennels. These moments of connection allowed animals to feel comforted, stimulated, and loved, even if only temporarily. As I gained experience, I began volunteering in the shelter’s medical area. There, I assisted with restraining both dogs and cats during exams, administering oral medications, and bathing ill animals. My commitment and passion eventually led to an unpaid internship, where I was entrusted with more advanced medical tasks, including assisting with vaccinations. This progression not only strengthened my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of responsibility, teamwork, and trust within a medical setting. Volunteering at the shelter showed me how vital community service is, especially for those without a voice. Shelter animals often arrive without owners, stability, or certainty of what lies ahead. Many spend long periods in cages with limited opportunities for socialization or exploration unless they are fostered, adopted, or interacted with by volunteers. Witnessing this reality was heartbreaking, but it reinforced why giving back matters. By volunteering, I was able to provide moments of happiness, comfort, and normalcy. Moments where animals could play, be social, and feel cared for. Seeing an animal relax, wag their tail, or purr during enrichment made every hour of service worthwhile. Giving back and paying things forward means offering time, compassion, and effort where it is most needed. My experiences taught me that even small acts, such as a walk, a gentle voice, or a few minutes of play, can significantly improve the well being of another living being. Community service is not just about helping others. It is about building empathy, responsibility, and connection. As I move toward a career in veterinary medicine, I will continue to carry these lessons with me. Volunteering has reinforced my desire to serve both animals and the communities that support them. By giving back now, I am laying the foundation for a future dedicated to care, advocacy, and compassion.

My name is Erynn, and I am currently a dual-enrolled student at Oakland Early College and Oakland Community College in my graduating year. Through this program, I am working toward earning my associate degree in arts and applied science so that I can transfer to a four-year university and pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I have always been drawn to animals and hands-on learning, and my academic path reflects my desire to turn that passion into a meaningful career where I can make a real difference. Over the past year, I have spent much of my time volunteering at an animal shelter, where I later had the opportunity to complete a medical internship. Being able to work directly with animals in a medical setting has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I assisted with vaccinations, observed euthanasias, organized and distributed medications, and worked closely alongside veterinary technicians, assistants, and other veterinary students. I also interned at a veterinary clinic, where I gained experience learning about X-rays, supporting front-desk and reception duties, creating medication labels, and even working with my own clients. These experiences allowed me to see both the emotional and technical sides of veterinary medicine and confirmed that this is the path I truly want to pursue. Alongside my interest in medicine, I also have a strong creative side. I have studied 3D design and worked independently as a digital creator for a video game, where I designed digital assets and earned income from my work. Through this process, I learned how to use software such as Blender, Marvelous Designer, Photoshop, and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Creativity has taught me problem-solving, patience, and adaptability—skills that I believe are just as important in science and medicine. To further prepare myself, I have independently purchased veterinary textbooks and will soon attend a veterinary camp on the same campus I hope to attend for my undergraduate studies. Outside of academics, I am the founder and president of my school’s Craft Club, where I organize meetings, host events and sales, and collaborate with other student organizations. I am also a member of Book Club, Medical Career Club, and the Black Student Union. In my free time, I enjoy dog training and reading, both of which continue to strengthen my patience, responsibility, and love for animals. If I could start my own charity, it would be dedicated to supporting animals in shelters. Through my volunteer and internship experiences, I have seen the behind-the-scenes challenges shelters face, including limited funding, overcrowding, and understaffed medical teams. My charity would focus on providing funding for food, enrichment, training, medical care, and facility expansion. Behavioral training would be a core mission, as it helps animals become more adoptable and ensures safer, more successful placements with families. Volunteers would assist with animal care, enrichment activities, training sessions, adoption events, and community outreach. I would also organize events such as dog shows or themed costume parties to showcase the animals’ personalities and increase adoption rates. Ultimately, my goal would be to improve the quality of life for shelter animals, support the hardworking staff, and help more animals find loving homes.

My name is Erynn, and I am currently a dual-enrolled student in my graduating year, earning both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science while completing my prerequisites to transfer to a four-year university to study veterinary medicine. From an early age, I knew that working with animals was more than just an interest for me; it was a calling. As I progressed academically and began researching my chosen career path more deeply, I became aware of an important and troubling reality: the severe lack of diversity within the veterinary field, particularly the extremely small percentage of Black veterinarians. This lack of representation is not just something I have read about, but something I have experienced firsthand. Throughout the many visits I have made to veterinary clinics as a client with my dog, I have only encountered one Black veterinary technician. Seeing so few professionals who look like me in this field reinforced my desire to pursue veterinary medicine not only to help animals, but also to be part of meaningful change. For me, becoming a veterinarian is about more than applying scientific knowledge and providing medical care. It is about representation, visibility, and showing younger generations in the Black community that we belong in this space. I want to serve as a role model and help break down the idea that certain careers are out of reach for people who look like me. One of the greatest challenges I have faced on this journey has been gaining early opportunities in the veterinary field. Because of my age and limited formal experience, many clinics were hesitant to take a chance on me. I was often told, directly or indirectly, that I lacked the experience necessary or that they did not have the time to train someone new. This was discouraging and, at times, overwhelming. However, instead of allowing rejection to stop me, I chose persistence. I called countless clinics, sent emails, followed up on applications, and consistently advocated for myself. I made it clear that although I was young, I was motivated, adaptable, eager to learn, and fully committed to this career path. That determination paid off. Through perseverance and resilience, I was able to secure interviews and eventually land my first job as a veterinary assistant. This opportunity validated my belief that hard work and self-advocacy can overcome barriers. As I continue my education and advance in my career, I plan to make a positive impact by providing compassionate, high-quality care to animals while also increasing representation in veterinary medicine. My goal is not only to succeed individually, but to open doors for others and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse future for the profession.

From the moment my family brought home our first dog, I knew animals would play a defining role in my life. I became completely absorbed in learning everything I could about him, from how his body works to what he needed to stay healthy and happy. I researched exercise requirements, nutrition, training techniques, and even basic anatomy. Caring for him never felt like a responsibility; it felt natural and deeply fulfilling. That initial curiosity quickly grew into a genuine passion for animal health and well-being. As my knowledge and confidence grew, I began volunteering to care for pets belonging to extended family members. During one of these experiences, I was able to significantly improve an animal’s health and lifestyle in just two weeks through proper exercise, nutrition, and attentive care. Seeing the positive impact of my efforts confirmed that this was more than a hobby. It was something I was meant to pursue. Recognizing my dedication, my parents surprised me with a dog of my own. If I thought I was devoted before, my commitment only intensified. I immersed myself even further into training, health, and behavioral understanding, constantly looking for ways to improve my dog’s quality of life. At just thirteen years old, I joined a dog training program where I began teaching my own classes and working one-on-one with clients. This experience strengthened my communication skills and taught me how to tailor care and training to each individual animal. To further support my interests, my parents provided me with veterinary medicine books, terminology guides, and enrolled me in a veterinary camp. Each opportunity deepened my understanding of the field and reinforced my desire to pursue veterinary medicine as a career. My passion truly solidified when I began volunteering at an animal shelter and later became a medical intern there. Working hands-on with animals in need showed me the realities of veterinary care, both the challenges and the rewards. There is no feeling comparable to helping animals who cannot speak for themselves and watching them heal through dedicated care and medical knowledge. Being part of an animal’s recovery and success is incredibly meaningful to me and drives my desire to continue learning and growing in this field. Ultimately, I want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine because it allows me to combine my love for animals with science, compassion, and lifelong learning. Helping animals live healthier, happier lives is not just something I enjoy; it is what gives me purpose.