Since I can remember I have wanted to become a Veterinarian. As I grew up I acquired animals and took them in, I learned how to bottle feed, tube feed, syringe feed, wrap wounds, and administer medications at a very young age. I now have a small ranch filled with many rescued animals with their own stories. I believe that every animal has the same value of life. I've rescued all types of critters between the smallest field mice and rabbits to cattle, goats, and dogs. I always knew healthcare is what I wanted to dedicate my life to so that I can help those who are unable to help themselves. My whole life I’ve nursed animals back to health case by case, such as the time I spent countless hours feeding a newborn kitten with pneumonia that sadly passed weeks later from the fluid that had accumulated in her lungs. After a while I began feeling that I couldn’t make much of a difference due to experiencing so many losses. The losses I’ve had to experience at the vet clinic I work at has changed me along with my own personal losses and the animals I’ve rescued just for it to all end with a sad ending. During my visit at Colorado State University (CSU) which I am now committed to, I was told a story that ignited a fire in me to pursue veterinary medicine through biology once again. The woman who illustrates the vet-med department told the incoming freshman and I that her child was diagnosed with cancer and with that diagnosis she was able to use her research teams and cure her daughter’s cancer. Only a year later her young daughter rang the bell and was cancer free! Along with that story being beautiful it helped my passion for healthcare and what we do grow. That woman told us that she wakes up every morning excited to do what she does because one day one of the very people she teaches, someone in that lab room could cure cancer. I was in that room and with that I know I can do and will do great things. I am inspired and eager to go forth with my work of pursuing the medical profession because this is the very reason I wake up every day as well; to make a difference. There is no better feeling than watching a patient's liver and kidney values improve or hear that an animal with slim chances of a healthy life made a full recovery and is thriving at home. I am beginning to realize that although we don’t always get a happy ending in healthcare I will always try my absolute best no matter the odds or the hours of dedication required to achieve a happy ending. I am overjoyed to be able to take my next steps in my future career and attend CSU in august as I dedicate my life to helping those who need someone to be there in those desperate times. I am passionate about where my future in this field will lead me and what comes next for me to reach my goals in Veterinary Medicine.

Since I can remember I have wanted to become a Veterinarian. As I grew up I acquired animals and took them in, I learned how to bottle feed, tube feed, syringe feed, wrap wounds, and administer medications at a very young age. I now have a small ranch filled with many rescued animals with their own stories. I always knew healthcare is what I wanted to dedicate my life to so that I can help those who are unable to help themselves. My whole life I’ve nursed animals back to health case by case, such as the time I spent countless hours feeding a newborn kitten with pneumonia that sadly passed weeks later from the fluid that had accumulated in her lungs. After a while I began feeling that I couldn’t make much of a difference due to experiencing so many losses. Working overtime week after week was burning me out with every loss I’ve had to face. The losses I’ve had to experience at the vet clinic I work at has changed me along with my own personal losses and the animals I’ve rescued just for it to all end with a sad ending. During my visit at Colorado State University (CSU) which I am now committed to, I was told a story that ignited a fire in me to pursue veterinary medicine through biology once again. The woman who illustrates the vet-med department told the incoming freshman and I that her child was diagnosed with cancer and with that diagnosis she was able to use her research teams and cure her daughter’s cancer. Only a year later her young daughter rang the bell and was cancer free! Along with that story being beautiful it helped my passion for healthcare and what we do grow. That woman told us that she wakes up every morning excited to do what she does because one day one of the very people she teaches, someone in that lab room could cure cancer. I was in that room and with that I know I can do and will do great things. I am inspired and eager to go forth with my work of pursuing the medical profession because this is the very reason I wake up every day as well; to make a difference. There is no better feeling than watching a patient's liver and kidney values improve or hear that an animal with slim chances of a healthy life made a full recovery and is thriving at home. Occasionally I’ll recognize an owner or a pet doing well in the community and that is such a wonderful feeling knowing I was able to help them continue to prosper. I am beginning to realize that although we don’t always get a happy ending in healthcare I will always try my absolute best no matter the odds or the hours of dedication required to achieve a happy ending. I am overjoyed to be able to take my next steps in my future career and attend CSU in august as I dedicate my life to helping those who need someone to be there in those desperate times. I am passionate about where my future in this field will lead me and what comes next for me to reach my goals in Veterinary Medicine and the animal community.

Since I can remember I have wanted to become a Veterinarian. As I grew up I acquired animals and took them in, I learned how to bottle feed, tube feed, syringe feed, wrap wounds, and administer medications at a very young age. I now have a small ranch filled with many rescued animals with their own stories. I always knew healthcare is what I wanted to dedicate my life to so that I can help those who are unable to help themselves. My whole life I’ve nursed animals back to health case by case, such as the time I spent countless hours feeding a newborn kitten with pneumonia that sadly passed weeks later from the fluid that had accumulated in her lungs. After a while I began feeling that I couldn’t make much of a difference due to experiencing so many losses. Working overtime week after week was burning me out with every loss I’ve had to face. The losses I’ve had to experience at the vet clinic I work at has changed me along with my own personal losses and the animals I’ve rescued just for it to all end with a sad ending. During my visit at Colorado State University (CSU) which I am now committed to, I was told a story that ignited a fire in me to pursue veterinary medicine through biology once again. The woman who illustrates the vet-med department told the incoming freshman and I that her child was diagnosed with cancer and with that diagnosis she was able to use her research teams and cure her daughter’s cancer. Only a year later her young daughter rang the bell and was cancer free! Along with that story being beautiful it helped my passion for healthcare and what we do grow. That woman told us that she wakes up every morning excited to do what she does because one day one of the very people she teaches, someone in that lab room could cure cancer. I was in that room and with that I know I can do and will do great things. I am inspired and eager to go forth with my work of pursuing the medical profession through biology because this is the very reason I wake up every day as well; to make a difference. There is no better feeling than watching a patient's liver and kidney values improve or hear that an animal with slim chances of a healthy life made a full recovery and is thriving at home. I am beginning to realize that although we don’t always get a happy ending in healthcare I will always try my absolute best no matter the odds or the hours of dedication required to achieve a happy ending. I am overjoyed to be able to take my next steps in my future career and attend CSU in august as I dedicate my life to helping those who need someone to be there in those desperate times. I am passionate about where my future in this field will lead me and what comes next for me to reach my goals in Veterinary Medicine.

Since I can remember I have wanted to become a Veterinarian. As I grew up I acquired animals and took them in, I learned how to bottle feed, tube feed, syringe feed, wrap wounds, and administer medications at a very young age. I now have a small ranch filled with many rescued animals with their own stories. I always knew healthcare is what I wanted to dedicate my life to so that I can help those who are unable to help themselves. My whole life I’ve nursed animals back to health case by case, such as the time I spent countless hours feeding a newborn kitten with pneumonia that sadly passed weeks later from the fluid that had accumulated in her lungs. After a while I began feeling that I couldn’t make much of a difference due to experiencing so many losses. Working overtime week after week was burning me out with every loss I’ve had to face. The losses I’ve had to experience at the vet clinic I work at has changed me along with my own personal losses and the animals I’ve rescued just for it to all end with a sad ending. During my visit at Colorado State University (CSU) which I am now committed to, I was told a story that ignited a fire in me to pursue veterinary medicine through biology once again. The woman who illustrates the vet-med department told the incoming freshman and I that her child was diagnosed with cancer and with that diagnosis she was able to use her research teams and cure her daughter’s cancer. Only a year later her young daughter rang the bell and was cancer free! Along with that story being beautiful it helped my passion for healthcare and what we do grow. That woman told us that she wakes up every morning excited to do what she does because one day one of the very people she teaches, someone in that lab room could cure cancer. I was in that room and with that I know I can do and will do great things. I am inspired and eager to go forth with my work of pursuing the medical profession through biology because this is the very reason I wake up every day as well; to make a difference. There is no better feeling than watching a patient's liver and kidney values improve or hear that an animal with slim chances of a healthy life made a full recovery and is thriving at home. I am beginning to realize that although we don’t always get a happy ending in healthcare I will always try my absolute best no matter the odds or the hours of dedication required to achieve a happy ending. I am overjoyed to be able to take my next steps in my future career and attend CSU in august as I dedicate my life to helping those who need someone to be there in those desperate times. I am passionate about where my future in this field will lead me and what comes next for me to reach my goals in Veterinary Medicine.

I joined FFA for the sole purpose of learning how to raise cattle and other species. Eventually my parents agreed that if I could find a drop calf for a reasonable price and entirely care for the bottle baby on top of school, sports, and clubs then they would pay for the feed and allow me to have one. Before I knew it, we drove to Salt Lake City to pick up two Jersey Bottle calves; My favorite animal. What I soon learned was how unprepared I was for this task. I may have had a barn but the storm that hit after was something I hadn’t planned for. Keeping twenty-four hour old Jersey calves alive was nearly impossible given that the breed is by far the most difficult to keep alive even in perfect conditions. After ten feet of snow in just a few hours and no power I had to keep the new born calves in our mudroom until the winter subsided. Throughout January the calves became sick with scours and were severely dehydrated, refusing to eat. I nursed them back to health four times and after many challenges and miracles later, the calves were finally healthy. Raising my cows by hand helped me bond with them like I never thought was possible. We faced turmoil repeatedly. Bruce had umbilical hemorrhaging and after antibiotics and surgery he faced infection for months while Alan had become too weak to stand without my help. During these times I wouldn’t leave their sides; I would sleep in the barn with them, read them my homework while I did it, and we would eat our meals together. Then one evening I decided to go on my evening jog, I was a mile away from home and I received a phone call. Bruce got attacked by dogs and my heart sank. I ran home as fast as I possibly could. He was just six months old but after days of worry about infection, shock, and blood loss or predators coming back, he made a full recovery! Alan and Bruce began thriving again, I began bathing them to show in the local shows at fairs for FFA. I learned how to increase specific types of feed and learned how much they love to eat pumpkin and lettuce. Was the turbulence finally over? What more could happen? Questions I’ve learned not to ask. On a random Tuesday morning I receive a call from my mom. She didn’t have to say a word for me to know that something had gone wrong. All she could say is “It’s Bruce”. I walked out of the class I had just walked into and rushed to the bathroom next door, where I collapsed in grief. I didn’t know what or how it happened. I asked every question of why I possibly could and a month later there is still no answer. All I know is that I never saw him again after that morning when I left for school. I never heard him "moo" as he ran next to my car welcoming me home from school that day. I never received another hug while I read to him or laughed at the way he jumped around in circles. Bruce was gone and it hurt. I may know how to raise cattle now but this wasn’t just another FFA assignment, he was a best friend to me and his brother Alan. In all of this I’ve learned that caring for animals is a large demanding task that I am ready to dedicate my life career to.