I have a lifetime of experience with dogs and considering the environment in which I was raised, it was inevitable that veterinary medicine would cross my radar. My mother has been a breeder of Australian Shepherds for nearly as long as I have been alive. Since my youth, I have always been enthusiastically involved, tagging along on . I tagged along on veterinary visits as a child, taking every opportunity to observe and ask questions. …show more content…
I learned about hard work, both physically and intellectually. Every dog under my care requires an investment of my time in order to keep them healthy, happy, and fit for the entirety of their lives. In order to even consider breeding, more of my time must be invested in learning about health, genetics, behavior, history and anatomy. As information is always evolving, the learning and research never ends. This has shaped me into a person who understands and appreciates a field in a state of constant change. I learned how to stay calm and rational in emergencies just like the one that launched my passion for veterinary medicine. I learned how to effectively communicate with people and I have developed the strength and understanding to deal with the realities of life and