I have always been attached to the animal kingdom. From the moment I knew what a veterinarian was at age four, I knew I wanted to be one. Back then, it was easy; I just had to finish school, graduate college, and open up my very own all-animal clinic. I couldn't just push out all the cute dogs and cats that I knew went to clinics, but I couldn't turn down the bigger, scarier animals. My motto was, "We love all animals, even wasps and alligators," taped to the inside of a foldable mirror. For a toddler, it held a pretty big meaning and I carried it with me everywhere. My main goal in inviting all of these animals, though, was to raise the chance of working with my very favorite: the cheetah. This animal has been a big source of motivation in my life, with the way that they persist and stay close, I have often found myself looking to them for inspiration. Then, around second grade, things got serious. My German Shepherd/Husky, Einstein, was diagnosed with cancer in his lower leg, which had spread and became untreatable. For many reasons, this year in my life was particularly hard, and I relied on Einstein to fill the role of a listener, a friend, and a comforter. My father told me that it would be better to put Einstein down, and I knew this, too, but that didn't make it any easier to come home one day and find him gone. As an already stressed-out eight-year-old, losing my best and only friend was the worst thing to happen. So, I dedicated more time to learning. I began to look into animal health centers, as well as cancer research in humans. Little of it made sense to me at the time, but it pushed me nonetheless. As my life has gone on, I have continued my passion for helping the animal community. Thirteen was too young for any shelter to accept as a volunteer, and by guidance of my grandfather, I found myself directed to my county 4H. I was nervous, of course, as I can only assume a majority of animal-lovers would be in a group of animal experts, but it was an opportunity like no other. I got to look through college course lessons on diseases, parasites, handling, client interactions, procedures, and so much more that would be impossible for me to learn all on my own. It has even helped me grow out of my shell and moving from member, to secretary, to second vice president, now to first vice president, I have learned how to lead and even teach these topics. I am finishing my fifth and final year with so much more knowledge on how to help the community I've always dreamed of. Looking into these studies has also opened up much more interest to me for conservation. Of course, I'd love to work on a reservation with big cats, but the research and conservation of the disappearing reptile and amphibian species has recently drawn me in. "We love all animals, even wasps and alligators." Probably the biggest reptile I could name at the time. I am proud to continue my lifelong dream of this work. Even if it has taken some turns along the way, the original idea has only grown and developed further, and I will forever continue to nurture it.

I have always been attached to the animal kingdom. From the moment I knew what a veterinarian was at age four, I knew I wanted to be one. Back then, it was easy; I just had to finish school, graduate college, and open up my very own all-animal clinic. I couldn't just push out all the cute dogs and cats that I knew went to clinics, but I couldn't turn down the bigger, scarier animals. My motto was, "We love all animals, even wasps and alligators," taped to the inside of a foldable mirror. For a toddler, it held a pretty big meaning and I carried it with me everywhere. My main goal in inviting all of these animals, though, was to raise the chance of working with my very favorite: the cheetah. This animal has been a big source of motivation in my life, with the way that they persist and stay close, I have often found myself looking to them for inspiration. Then, around second grade, things got serious. My German Shepherd/Husky, Einstein, was diagnosed with cancer in his lower leg, which had spread and became untreatable. For many reasons, this year in my life was particularly hard, and I relied on Einstein to fill the role of a listener, a friend, and a comforter. My father told me that it would be better to put Einstein down, and I knew this, too, but that didn't make it any easier to come home one day and find him gone. As an already stressed-out eight-year-old, losing my best and only friend was the worst thing to happen. So, I dedicated more time to learning. I began to look into animal health centers, as well as cancer research in humans. Little of it made sense to me at the time, but it pushed me nonetheless. As my life has gone on, I have continued my passion for helping the animal community. Thirteen was too young for any shelter to accept as a volunteer, and by guidance of my grandfather, I found myself directed to my county 4H. I was nervous, of course, as I can only assume a majority of animal-lovers would be in a group of animal experts, but it was an opportunity like no other. I got to look through college course lessons on diseases, parasites, handling, client interactions, procedures, and so much more that would be impossible for me to learn all on my own. It has even helped me grow out of my shell and moving from member, to secretary, to second vice president, now to first vice president, I have learned how to lead and even teach these topics. I am finishing my fifth and final year with so much more knowledge on how to help the community I've always dreamed of. Looking into these studies has also opened up much more interest to me for conservation. Of course, I'd love to work on a reservation with big cats, but the research and conservation of the disappearing reptile and amphibian species has recently drawn me in. "We love all animals, even wasps and alligators." Probably the biggest reptile I could name at the time. I am proud to continue my lifelong dream of this work. Even if it has taken some turns along the way, the original idea has only grown and developed further, and I will forever continue to nurture it.