ABSTRACT
Ever since rescuing my first pet in elementary school, my life has been filled with experiences that point to the power that animals have in the lives of humans. Early on, I considered a career in veterinary practice or animal science, but neither field seemed like a good fit given my desire to incorporate interactions with animals into the provision of human healthcare. When I first began discussing my specific goals as a freshman in college, advisors would often respond by telling me that the job that I wanted didn’t yet exist. Nonetheless, they encouraged me to tailor my educational and vocational experiences in a way that would balance my knowledge and develop expertise related to both humans and animals.
