Pet Sitter in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

I have successfully completed my first year of veterinary school at St. George’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada. I would like to pursue a career in mixed animal medicine with a specialty in either small animal emergency and critical care or surgery. I attended the University of Delaware and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Biosciences where I was guided and mentored by veterinarians over the four years. Some of my most valuable educational experiences have been under the influence of Dr. Robert Dyer, VMD— my anatomy professor under whom I was both a student and teaching assistant. He has fostered an enduring interest for anatomy in me, which has carried over into my professional career at St. George’s University, where I hold a position as an Anatomy I and Radiology I instructor for the Department of Educational Services (DES). This position has allowed me to discover a passion for helping others, not only through clinical veterinary medicine, but also through academia— which remains a career goal of mine. In 2014, I went on a trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with a non-profit organization, Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures (VIDA), to service impoverished communities by providing free physical examinations, medical treatment and spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats. I knew that we were going to be working in more than 100-degree weather for at eight to ten hours a day, but what I did not anticipate was the emotional impact that this trip would have on me. We only caught a glimpse of the poverty-stricken conditions that both people and animals endured everyday of their lives, yet it was enough to change my perspective on life. Truthfully, the first day was hard— but it was not just sadness and sympathy that consumed me, it was an overwhelming feeling of frustration, because I knew I could do more for these communities. At clinics where I am from, veterinarians have the luxury to perform state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments, whereas in the field in Latin America, we did not have such luxuries. Pet owners were extremely grateful for basic physical exams and core vaccines. I became aware of the important relationship between animal health and human health, and with time that aching feeling of pity and frustration was replaced with a desire to implement change and better lives. An important lesson that I have learned after my work in Latin America is that intellectual knowledge and skill are meaningless if not accompanied by compassion and commitment for both animals and people— and commitment comes with hard work. My interest in large animal medicine grew from my experiences on the University of Delaware’s dairy farm and observing/working with field veterinarians, Dr. Billy Smith and Dr. Curtis Beidel. As pre-veterinary chair of Animal Science Club at the University of Delaware, I had the pleasure of working with and knowing some of the finest veterinarians at The University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. Since my first trip to New Bolton Center in college, it has become the foundation for my growing passion in large animal medicine. Moreover, I have recently completed an externship in emergency medicine and critical care, cardiology and surgery at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, a mixed animal practice with a fully-functional farm of cattle, sheep, goats, alpaca, emu, pigs and poultry. The externship has only affirmed my desire to become a mixed animal practitioner and to pursue a specialty in small animal emergency and critical care or surgery. My professional goals have not always been the same—they have changed throughout my college career and with each animal related experience. But with growth and change came a sense of clarity as I began to truly develop into the veterinary professional I so desire to be. Through my work at the University of Delaware’s dairy farm, my animal production classes, and working among veterinarians, I found a passion for large animal medicine. It was through my work at Larchmont Animal Hospital and Mount Laurel Animal Hospital that has led me to pursue a career in small animal emergency medicine and critical care or surgery. My four years of being a teaching assistant and DES instructor have instilled a new-found passion for academia, something that I see myself doing further along my career when I am more established. Moreover, it was my service trip with VIDA that has opened my eyes to the both the lows and highs of international veterinary medicine, which has inspired me in ways beyond what life in American culture could. Thus, my commitment to veterinary medicine has never been so clear and devout. The moment I receive my DVM will be a profound day, not only because I made it through four hard years of veterinary school, but because at that moment I will become an advocate for animals— their hero and guardian. The most rewarding aspect of veterinary medicine is knowing that by helping the animals, you are helping the people— which is truly the best of both worlds. Check out my LinkedIn profile for more details of my professional work!