4.7

I am a transfer student in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. I am in the Pre-Veterinary track Companion Animal major studying to become a veterinarian in the Animal Science department. My journey began immediately, after High School when I decided to volunteer at the Matthew J. Ryan Animal Hospital in Philadelphia for about a year. Then, I went into the Program of Veterinary Technology with no previous work experience with animals other than the skills I built at the Animal Hospital in Philadelphia. Before my transition into Rutgers in the Fall of 2016, I attended Manor College, in the Veterinary Technology program. During my years of attendance, I gained the knowledge of the Anatomy and Physiology of how the overall system of different species works inside and out. Along with the use of different various technology equipment used in the veterinary field which included radiology/diagnostic imaging, microscopic diagnosis, and ultrasound screening. I have had hands-on experiences from large animals to lab animals and small ruminants. In my Spring semester of 2017, I was appointed as one of the supervisors in preparing for the yearly Rutgers Ag Field Day. Given this responsibility, I instructed students on handling both sheep/goats, demonstrated the use of farm sheep/goat equipment, and maintained farm hours and a high standard of cleanliness. In addition, I had the opportunity to be a part of the Rutgers Companion Animal Club. In this student-run club, I was given the chance to be focused on what companion animals’ needs are and their importance to people. Lastly, I was involved in research with an Equine Nutrition Specialist where I developed a general idea of metabolism and why it is important for the overall consumption of specific nutrition’s appropriate for growth and health. In the summer of 2019, I have had the opportunity to work as a kennel assistant. My daily tasks were very demanding to maintain a functional environment. Those tasks required cleaning kennels, overseeing physical exercise sessions, and maintaining a healthy and loving relationship with the animals.