Can't Hang With the Big Dogs by Bethany

Can't Hang With the Big Dogs by Bethany - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

My name is Bethany Granger and I am currently a senior at Prattville High School in Prattville, Alabama. When I first started high school, I initially thought I wanted to enter the veterinary medicine field. I even applied to and was accepted to the VET STEP II summer program at Tuskegee University, hosted by the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. I was one of only three students from my state to be chosen for this elite program which was opened to high school students across the country. We received classroom instruction, guest lectures, demonstrations, emergency case studies and lots of hands-on activities so we could learn our options. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and learned a great deal on how to care for animals. To continue getting familiar with the veterinary field, I decided to volunteer at Goodwin Alabama Hospital. Wow, I was in for a treat! I got the chance to get up and close and personal with dogs of all sizes. I learned that indeed these animals were family members to their owners. That was the sweet part of the job – to see how the owners loved on them. But then there came the times when I had to watch over the dogs who were being boarded. At times, I had some huge, rambunctious animals. I could barely keep them under control even with a leash. I really go scared. Those Saturdays I spent volunteering at the animal hospital made me realize that maybe I should explore other career options. I wasn’t ready to go toe-to-toe with the big dogs!