I have always loved animals and science. We had a variety of different pets when I was a kid as my dad was an animal lover too. I did academic team and math team from third grade forward. When I graduated high school though, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I feel the world of veterinary medicine was underrepresented and misunderstood in the rural town I grew up in. It wasn’t until I was out of high school for two years and rescued my first senior pet that I began to feel drawn to veterinary medicine. In October of 2018 I decided I would become a foster for the local humane society as they were in “code red”, which is max capacity for both cats and dogs. At the very back of the building sat a quiet, empty eyed American Bullddog named Layla. Both of her ears were infected and she had an aural hematoma and demodectic mange. She was owner surrendered six months prior and no one had shown any interest in her. All of these factors put her at the top of the euthanasia list, so she left with me that day. Three days later I went to sign the adoption papers. Something about the light that had returned to her eyes made me sure that she belonged with me. We only shared one and a half short years together, but I’ll never forget her. In that year we made many trips to the vet. We battled with parvo, more ear infections, food trials, UTIs, arthritis, and finally cancer. December of 2019 Layla and my cat Hazel both became sick. I spent so many hours and several thousand dollars right before Christmas trying to figure out what was wrong with my girls. Their vet team was wonderful. They made it seem like they cared about Layla and Hazel like their own pets. The amount of love and support they showed us was overwhelming. Through this process I learned a little bit about what it’s like to work in the veterinary field. Being someone who always needs to know the how and the why behind things, I also spent several hours researching my pets diagnoses. Although it was hard to see my own pets so sick, I felt like caring for them in their time of need brought us closer. I enjoyed learning what was causing their illnesses and how I could make them feel better. And I deeply appreciated the way the vet team made us feel like family. I knew from the moment Layla was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma that I wanted to help animals like her for the rest of my life. I wanted to be a part of a team like my vet and the technicians. I wanted to save lives. Now that I’m in the field of veterinary medicine myself I understand why they made it seem like they loved my girls like their own. It’s because they did. I love every one of my patients and I would do everything in my power to advocate for their best care, comfort, and well being. My education will allow me to have the knowledge to provide the best care I can for all of my future patients. To be there for the ones who don’t have a voice. To save lives. To support owners who don’t understand what’s going on with their beloved furry friend or who may be receiving a poor prognosis. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.