My name is Marcus Carter Jr. My goal in life is to become an Equine Veterinarian. When I was younger animals, more specifically horses, played a large role in my life. I owned many animals such as parrots, dogs, cats, fish, and even a chicken at one point. I would watch vet shows, read equine veterinary manuals, and watch videos on different breeds and their ailments. I would ride my bike to my cousin’s house and help him with his Quarter Horse stallion. He taught me how to ride and care for horses. I’ve even helped many animals to the best of my ability. One time a cat was hit by a car and broke her hips. She was feral and didn’t like people much. I worked with her everyday until she started trusting people. I’d feed her, water her, and would slowly teach her to accept touch. She eventually died from her injuries but it was nice to be able to help her. Over the summer of 2022 I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn more about the veterinary medicine industry. I called all my local veterinary clinics and landed an apprenticeship at Carville Veterinary Clinic. There, the employees taught me everything I needed to know about working there. Within 2-3 weeks of shadowing, a Standard Poodle named Hershey came in. He was on the verge of having a heat stroke. I helped carry him in and get fluids into him. He stayed there around 3 weeks and when it was time for him to go home his owners thanked me for helping care for him. From there I knew the veterinary medicine career was for me. By the end of the summer, they hired me part time and eventually started teaching me how to sedate animals and give vaccinations. While working in the clinic I met a woman named Stacey who had a hobby farm and ran a petting zoo. She hired me as a farmhand. There I helped her large animal vet and got experience with large animals such as cattle, llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, and even emus. There I met a few of her horses who were rescues. Dusty, is a Quarter Horse mare who suffers from arthritis in her front legs. Her previous owners gave her to the animal shelter and they threatened to euthanize her. Stacy rescued her and I have the pleasure of being able to help care for her. Here I learned that livestock was more important to me than what I previously assumed. These animals just want someone to feed, care, and love them and I am fortunate enough to provide that. This scholarship will aid me in my Equine Veterinary Training and allow me to help more horses within my area.

My name is Marcus Carter Jr. My goal in life is to become an Equine Veterinarian. When I was younger animals, more specifically horses, played a large role in my life. I owned many animals such as parrots, dogs, cats, fish, and even a chicken at one point. I would watch vet shows, read equine medicine books, and watch videos on different breeds and ailments. I would ride my bike to my cousin’s house and help him with his Quarter Horse stallion. He taught me how to ride and care for horses. I’ve even helped many animals to the best of my ability. One time a cat was hit by a car and broke her hips. She was feral and didn’t like people much. I worked with her everyday until she started trusting people. I’d feed her, water her, and would slowly teach her to accept touch. She eventually died from her injuries but I was nice to be able to help her. Over the summer of 2022 I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn more about the veterinary medicine industry. I called all my local veterinary clinics and landed an apprenticeship at Carville Veterinary Clinic. There, the employees taught me everything I needed to know about working there. Within 2-3 weeks of shadowing, a Standard Poodle named Hershey came in. He was on the verge of having a heat stroke. I helped carry him in and get fluids into him. He stayed there around 3 weeks and when it was time for him to go home his owners thanked me for helping care for him. There I knew the career choice was what I was meant to do. From there I knew the veterinary medicine career was for me. By the end of the summer, they hired me part time and eventually started teaching me how to sedate animals and give vaccinations. While working in the clinic I met a woman named Stacey who had a farm and ran a petting zoo. She hired me as a farmhand. There I helped her large animal vet and got experience with large animals such as cattle, llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, and even emus. I’ve even met people who worked within animal control and saw how much our livestock is mistreated in my parish. This scholarship would not only help me but the people within my community. I learned that large animal vets are needed. In my area, large animal vets are a necessity as horses and cattle are popular. This scholarship would help me give back to my community. Many people consider their pets their family, and if i can help family then I help them.