Nonni Schwartz, VG26
Biography
From: Poughkeepsie, NY
B.S., Biology, Boston College, 2025
Why did you choose to pursue the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) degree, and why did you choose Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to pursue this degree?
I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career that focused on the care of animals, whether it be the traditional route of becoming a veterinarian or working with animal shelters and rescues. In turn, this program piqued my interest because it would allow me to explore how I can be involved in advocacy no matter what career path I take. Additionally, the small class sizes, hands-on opportunities, and ties to a veterinary school made this program the perfect fit for me.
What are your interests and/or experience related to the MAPP program?
During my time as an undergraduate, I engaged in canine cognition research, where we focused on learning how domestication shaped how dogs learn from us, and other canids.
Through this experience, I learned how crucial this research is to creating new and effective policies for working dogs, service dogs, and shelter dogs. Therefore, it has become immensely important to me to continue to immerse myself in animal psychology, and this program was a great opportunity to do so, while educating myself in public policy.
What are your career goals after completing the program?
Following the completion of this program, I plan to pursue veterinary school, hopefully continuing my education at Cummings, while continuing to advocate for animal welfare.