I sat frozen, staring at the screen as Forks Over Knives unfolded before me. The cries of animals, who had never felt sunlight or grass, haunted me. How could I continue contributing to the suffering of the creatures I loved and wanted to protect? Since I was six, I’ve known I wanted to be a veterinarian. While most might not take a six-year-old’s dreams seriously, I never wavered. Raised vegetarian and becoming vegan in 9th grade, my identity has always been rooted in my love for animals and nature. In middle school, I began following veterinarians on Instagram, soaking up knowledge wherever I could. Initially, I imagined working with cats and dogs, until I stumbled upon a video from World Wide Vets, where they used an Apple Watch to take a sedated lion’s heart rate during a wildlife rescue. I realized then that my dream wasn’t just confined to a vet clinic—there were endless possibilities. That moment solidified my commitment to becoming a veterinarian. During my freshman year, the scene from Forks Over Knives was forever imprinted in my mind. I saw a factory farm, a lifeless shed filled with pigs whose death was imminent. Though I considered myself an animal lover, I was unknowingly supporting the industry I opposed. I had thought being vegetarian was enough, but I soon realized the entire animal industry was problematic. I reflected on my younger self, the same little girl who cried for hours after finding a dead mayfly, and I knew I had to change. My passion for animal rights became inseparable from my dream of veterinary medicine. How could I love animals, want to heal them, yet not stand up for them? That is why I’m inspired to follow in the footsteps of Jane Goodall, who once said, “The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Attending an event where Jane Goodall spoke, even while I had the flu, was transformative. She reaffirmed my commitment to speak out for animals and educate others. My purpose is to help people develop the same appreciation for animals and nature with which I was raised. There has never been doubt about my path. The only question was not what I would do, but why. Why would I be a veterinarian and an animal rights activist? The answer is simple: I am still that little girl who cried over the mayfly, driven to create a future where I will be both a healer and an advocate for animals. I will not stand aside and let others abuse the loving creatures we share our planet with. I know that my purpose is to change the world for the better—for the animals, and for the planet. That is why I plan to major in animal science and pursue veterinary school.