I’ve always known I’d work with animals. One of my earliest and clearest memories of that calling came when I was in middle school. Our family cat was pregnant and decided to go into labor — right as a hurricane hit. We were stuck inside with no way to get to help, and to make things more stressful, she wasn’t cutting the umbilical cords on her own.
We got our veterinarian on the phone, and with his guidance, my mom and I carefully assisted in the birth. We cut each cord, cleaned each kitten, and safely delivered all five. I already knew I wanted to devote my life to animals, but that moment cemented it. We were so bonded to the kittens after that night, we couldn’t bring ourselves to rehome them — we raised all five.
From horses, hamsters, and parrots to snakes, rabbits, cats, and dogs, I’ve had the privilege of caring for animals my entire life. Every experience taught me something: patience, responsibility, how to read body language, how to respond in the unexpected moments, and so much more. It’s not just about loving animals…it’s about truly understanding and respecting them.