Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve just had this natural bond with animals. I can still remember those early days playing with my dog, Max, when I was only eight years old. I adored him so much, it was like he was family. That’s when my mom casually mentioned, “You know, you should become a vet”. I was curious, so I asked her why, and she simply said, “Because you love animals”.
That conversation stuck with me, as I grew older, I realized she was right. Animals have always been my thing. I was that girl who I couldn’t resist bringing home any stray animal I found. When I hit fifteen, I jumped at the chane to volunteer at Animals Alive, this amazing animal shelter back in Trinidad and Tobago. It was like a dream come true getting to help out there everyday.
Then I got even more involved by volunteering at Sunnyview Vetcare Services. Oh boy! those experiences were something else. I got to see surgeries up close, and it was mind-blowing. I tonly made me more determined to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Growing up, my fascination with animals was a constant in my life. Thanks to my own initiative, I was fortunate to have a variety of pets over the years. When I moved to Canada, I knew I wanted to continue immersing myself in activities involving animals.
During one of my courses, Community Service Learning, we were tasked with volunteering in an area that interested us for the entire semester. I t was the perfect opportunity for me. I eagerly chose to volunteer at the BC SPCA animal shelter, and I ended up spending the entire semester there,
After the semester ended, I realized how much i enjoyed the experience, so I decided to keep volunteering. This time, I shifted my focus to a veterinary clinic. And here I am today, still happily volunteering. Both experiences have been incredibly fulfilling, and I couldn’t be happier. The organization slogan, “Speaking for the animals,” truly resonated with me , and I’m proud to be part of it.
Image 1. Meet Max! My 8-year old self decided he needed a name as epic as his personality, so I named him Maximiliano De las Bermudas Sancho Panza Lopez Guillen. Yes, that’s an extremely long name, but hey, he wore it well!
Image 2. Timothy, Max’s son. He got the grand name Timothy Del Mar, which translated to Timothy of the Ocean. Clearly, he was destined to rule the high seas!
Image 3. Meet Nina, a crazy female pug who couldn’t be more spoiled and is basically everyone’s little munchkin!
Image 4. This is Phoebo, the first cat I ever owned and my best companion. Yes, he’s named after Phoebe from Friends, and yes, he’s basically my fur-child. Could he BE any more adorable?
Image 5. This is Nilo, a dog with wildly unique personality. Sometimes I think he’s like a grumpy old man trapped in a dog’s body, demanding attention on his terms and giving you the cold shoulder whenever he feels like it!