Biography
Richmond, VA
B.S. Sociology, Old Dominion University, 2016
M.A. Sociology, Certificate Women's and Gender Studies, Old Dominion University, 2018
Why did you choose to pursue this degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
I have worked professionally in some capacity with animals for over 12 years. For three of those years, I worked as a full-time animal care technician at the Richmond SPCA. It was in those three years that I fell in love with animal rescue and thought deeply about how I could turn my love for rescue and my knowledge of social science into a career. When I stumbled upon the Tufts MAPP program while researching to further my graduate education, I felt like this program had been designed specifically for me. Animal neglect and abuse often happen due to socioeconomic reasons, and I am so excited to explore the depths of these interactions and expand my breadth of knowledge in both rescue and social science at Tufts.
What are your interests and/or experience relative to the MAPP program?
I have a multitude of experience when it comes to working with the public and animals. I worked at PetSmart for 6 years as a pet care specialist where I cared for birds, fish, reptiles, and small pets such as chinchillas and hamsters, as well as a dog bather, stocker, and cashier. During that 6 years, I acquired quite an expansive knowledge basis for general pet care. I then worked as a veterinary receptionist where I learned about the ins and outs of vet med. Finally, I worked at an open admission animal shelter in Norfolk where I was an animal caretaker responsible not only for basic care such as feeding, watering, walking, and cleaning, but I also learned how to perform vaccines and blood tests for animal intakes. And as mentioned above, I worked at the Richmond SPCA for three years, deepening my love for animal rescue and lighting a fire that has yet to extinguish.
What are your career goals after completing the program?
I hope to continue working in rescue, potentially becoming a shelter director or rescue someday. I hope to eventually earn a PhD and possibly represent rescues and shelters in policy making.