10 Years from Now by Kaitlyn

10 Years from Now by Kaitlyn - March 2025 Scholarship Essay

After months of unanswered emails, I finally received a message that changed everything. The summer before my junior year, I contacted every veterinary clinic in my area through emails, phone calls, and in-person visits. After countless rejections, Dr. Robinson at Mission Vet Specialty & Emergency Hospital finally allowed me to experience the love of veterinary medicine. Over the course of 21 weeks, I visited the hospital regularly and reflected on my experiences in my journal. I also wrote two children's books on common pet emergencies, which I read to classes at Steubing Elementary, and conducted research for six annotated bibliographies. 
My mentorship concluded with a 35-minute speech summarizing my experience, with over 25 attendees, including my school district's superintendent. Throughout my speech, I recalled the challenging cases I witnessed, the time invested in research, and, most importantly, the lifelong lessons Dr. Robinson and Mission Vet instilled in me. Each visit exposed me to risky procedures, uncooperative pets, and disrespectful owners. But the doctors supported one another every visit, fighting for the pet's life. As I stood in the operating room, my heart raced as the entire hospital came together to perform CPR on a 100-pound husky. In that moment, I realized how crucial teamwork and quick thinking are in saving lives.
This experience revealed that being an emergency veterinarian is more than mastering the anatomy of animals; it is about contributing to a passionate team to establish a village. Every day, I carry the lessons I learned at Mission Vet—leadership, compassion, and teamwork—in everything I do. My time with Dr. Robinson solidified my passion for becoming an emergency veterinarian and reinforced my resilience and commitment to pursuing my dreams, no matter how many emails it takes. 
Witnessing the complexity of each case at Mission Vet showed me that the career requires mastering animal behavior, anatomy, and care. This inspired me to earn an undergraduate degree in animal science at my future university, where I can engage in hands-on laboratory work with animals. Developing my education will allow me to help care for animals in my community, especially in times of emergency. Helping animals in their most vulnerable moments will bring comfort not only to them but also to the families who love them.
Ten years from now, I envision myself carefully treating beloved animals in my community. Throughout my life, I hope for many conversations with pet owners being given life-saving news. I aspire to save countless lives on the exam table with newfound discoveries. Utilizing my eight years of education after high school will allow me to fulfill my long-thought dreams. 
As I continue my journey into college, I carry the lessons Mission Vet taught me, eager to further my knowledge of animals and establish a career to better their lives. As I pursued my first mentorship, I was determined to accomplish my dreams, no matter the challenges ahead. With the support of scholarships, I can continue pursuing my dream of saving lives, one emergency at a time.