Why i want to be a veterinarian 

Like many others in the veterinary field, I expressed my affinity for animals early and often. My first memories are alive with curiosity for the animal world. From rescuing caterpillars off of busy sidewalks, to bringing home stray cats, I was constantly looking for ways to help animals in need. And like many young animal lovers, my first dream was to be a veterinarian. As the granddaughter of farmers, I was raised to be conscious of where my food comes from and to appreciate every meal. As I grew older, this value amalgamated with my love for animals, and my attention was directed toward the role of animals in food production.

I became infatuated with learning about sustainable agriculture and raising livestock. I researched and became familiar with many of the local farms in my home state of New Jersey. I supported these farms by purchasing animal products and produce from local farmers’ markets as often as possible. Learning about these farming operations inspired me to want to be a part of the farming community. I was so certain I wanted to enter the world of farming, I applied almost exclusively to remarkably tiny farming colleges to study sustainable agriculture. Some offered only one major, while others had no textbook requirements, but instead instructed students to bring their own axe. My senior year of high school, I took a class which provided students with the opportunity to explore a field or career of their interest through internships and hands-on experiences. I chose farming as my topic and began volunteering on a family owned farm in my area. I assisted in land and crop maintenance, planting and harvesting, and livestock care.

I worked mainly with the chickens and goats, occasionally helping with the steer. I was tasked with managing hoof rot in a herd of goats, which involved hoof trims, foot baths, and thorough cleanings of enclosures. I watched as the does had their kids, and bottle fed a few who were unable to nurse due to mastitis affecting the mothers. I enjoyed the physical labor, working outside, and getting dirty. I appreciated how growing crops increased my awareness of weather patterns and nature. I became cognizant of the interdependence between humans, animals, and the environment. But I most enjoyed working with the goats.

Taking part in the elimination of pain gave me a sense of purpose; watching their behaviors return to normal as they healed was extremely rewarding. Additionally, I became emotionally attached to the animals I worked with, an unsustainable behavior for a farmer. Working with these animals to provide them comfort reminded me of my childhood dream. I realized I would rather work with animals in a medical context to ensure their health and wellbeing. After this realization, I immersed myself in the veterinary world. I started working in veterinary hospitals and began to pursue my bachelors in veterinary technology in the most hands-on program I could find. It did not take long for me to know I had made the right decision. In the veterinary field, I no longer felt the need to repress my compassion, as it was now encouraged. I enjoyed working closely with each animal and evaluating them as individual patients. I was also surprised to discover how much I enjoyed interacting with clients.

Connecting with owners establishes a sense of trust which can alleviate some of their concerns during times of stress. Providing comfort to both animals and their humans allows me to exercise my compassionate nature and satisfies my desire to do work I find meaningful. As I progressed through the veterinary technology program, I realized I craved the intellectual challenges of the medical field as much as I found gratification in caring for animals. While I learned about physiology and clinical pathology, I became fascinated with how clinicians identify disease processes by piecing together abnormal findings.

The diagnostic process felt like a puzzle which I was eager to learn how to solve. The more I learned about veterinary medicine, the more I wanted to learn. This unquenchable thirst for information inspired me to further my education and continue on to veterinary school. My love for animals has remained a constant as I have grown. What started as childlike wonder for non-human creatures, developed into a powerful passion to care for all beings on this earth. My exploration of alternative career paths involving animals confirmed what I knew as a small child: I was meant to be a veterinarian. While it was a childhood dream that guided me to this path, it is my matured aspirations that are fueling my drive to become a veterinarian.