a person with curly blonde hair wearing a head band and glasses is holding a baby deer inside her jacket.

Erika Plante, VG25

a person with curly blonde hair wearing a head band and glasses is holding a baby deer inside her jacket.

Biography

Massachusetts

B.A., Biology and Visual Arts with minor in Animal Behavior, Wheaton College, 2024

Why did you choose to pursue this degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
I chose to pursue the MAPP degree because I am passionate about animal welfare, and I hope to dedicate my career to improving the lives of companion animals in the United States. I chose Cummings School to pursue this degree because it offers a unique combination of policy and welfare education that isn't offered elsewhere.

What are your interests and/or experience relative to your program?
My career in animal welfare began in high school when I started fostering shelter rabbits through my local rescue network, which I happily still do today! Since then, I've worked in wildlife rehabilitation, zookeeping, pet food retail, shelter care, and animal policy.

What are your career goals after completing the program?
I hope to apply my MAPP education to a career which breaks down barriers to pet ownership in the United States. My ultimate goal is to help more people keep their animals in their loving homes, rather than being forced to surrender to shelters as a result of medical, financial, or residential obstacles.