The Mental Health Epidemic by Montala

The Mental Health Epidemic by Montala - March 2020 Scholarship Essay

I plan to pursue a combined degree in veterinary medicine and public health with a minor in pharmacy in order to achieve this. I want to bridge the gap between animal and human health through the use of animal therapy and studying the relationship between humans, animals, and infectious diseases. I will do this by using my veterinary medicine and public health degree to analyze the spread of outbreaks and link them to an animal source. Then, I will use my pharmacy degree to help medicate those that have suffered from epidemics.

I have taken several steps to begin achieving my goals. First, I have enrolled in a class that will train me to be a pharmacy technician. Upon getting my pharmacy technician license, I will be working alongside licensed professionals in a pharmacy which allows me to continue my passion for helping others while gaining experience in the field. In addition, I will register my dog as a therapy animal after graduation. This allows me a pathway to assist my peers with mental health issues in a unique way. Every once in a while, students need to be able to be transparent with someone about their feelings. Although nothing can replace the experience of weeping on your best friend's shoulder at 3 am, the presence of an animal can reduce anxiety when all feels too hard. This is important because it makes overwhelming experiences, like transitioning to college, feel more bearable. Taking proactive measures to ensure the mental and physical health of my peers in college not only allows me to continue my dedication to service, but I will also be able to analyze effective ways to use animal therapy and pharmaceuticals in order to be an agent for change in the real world.

My ten-year career plan is to spend the first five years pursuing my dual degree in veterinary medicine and public health. During the five years, I plan to study abroad in South Africa, Thailand, or Ecuador in order to analyze if animal therapy has an effect on the quality of life of a person. In addition, I would like to have an internship with the Center for Disease Control in order to research the relationship between the spread of infectious diseases and animals. While participating in an internship, I would still continue my community service activities whether it be feeding the homeless or donating clothes to the less fortunate. After five years, I will have my doctor of veterinary medicine degree as well as my master's of public health degree. I will continue with my internship at the CDC while pursuing a bachelor's degree in pharmacy over the next 3 years hopefully. During this time, I want to actively travel for the CDC to help find the sources of epidemics and ways to prevent them from spreading. In my last two years, my career path will be permanently set with the Center for Disease Control as a researcher or as a veterinarian.