Vet School Personal Statement, Round 2

This story was originally published on my vet school blog, “Wet Cleanup on Aisle 5.” It’s the essay from my second vet school application, and it is much more focused and personal than my first effort (which was also published on my blog, but now I can’t stand to read it).  There’s more heart in this one, and less brain.  It also helps that I started early and I had every single writer I know read over it.

The veterinarian looked up from examining my cat. “This is the worst case of eosinophilic granuloma complex I have ever seen,” she said. The look of worry that crossed her face next clearly said, “and I have no idea how to treat it.”

I would never have suspected that those words would change my life.

Little cat Mandu’s health had always been fine—I fed her a premium diet, took her in for regular checkups—until one day about six years ago when she started showing signs of allergies. Although I sought treatment throughout, her condition had gradually deteriorated into this, the worst case of EGC my vet had ever seen.

“She may need steroid injections for the rest of her life,” the vet said. “Maybe as often as once a month.”

I remember thinking that my vet was out of her mind. I don’t object to steroids, but…once a month? Surely, I thought, there had to be a better way.

It was the first time I had ever considered the idea of alternative therapies for pets, which is surprising, considering my background. My mother is Chinese, and Oriental medicine is as familiar to me as Tylenol. Complementary medicine had always been a part of my life, so why not my pet’s?

I began reading up on my cat’s condition and the conventional methods for treating it. Meanwhile, I explored other options, such as acupuncture and herbs.

My casual investigation soon began to frustrate me, because the more I learned about EGC, the less, I realized, anyone really knew about the etiology of the condition. I also found that, despite the large numbers of people looking for alternative therapies for their pets, there was little documentation about such things. While I’m an advocate for supplementing conventional medicine with alternative remedies, I prefer these remedies to be evidence based, rather than anecdotal.

Desperate to help my kitty, I began reading any and everything I could find about EGC, pet allergies, and complementary medicine for pets. My causal interest in the subject soon grew into fascination, and the more I read, the more I began to wonder about other animal diseases and treatments.

At the time, I was working as a computer administrator at Rocky Mountain National Park, doing my part to save the planet by keeping the Park Service’s computers humming along. While I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of working with computers, and the methodical problem solving that entailed, computers left a little to be desired in the way of personal satisfaction—they don’t often purr, or plant slobbery kisses on your forehead, for example. The idea of working with animals had real appeal.

“Wouldn’t it be cool to learn acupuncture for pets?” I asked my mom on the phone one day. I looked into classes, and soon realized they were all restricted to veterinarians. Well, I wasn’t a vet, and couldn’t imagine becoming one at this age. Oh well.

And then a funny thing happened. My local vet posted a job opening, and I jumped at the chance. Part of me thought I was insane to give up my comfortable job, but part of me had a hunch….

It didn’t take long before I was hooked, and I became enchanted with the idea of veterinary medicine as a career. I loved the problem-solving aspect of it. I loved the idea of working with animals and their owners. I loved the variety—cats, lizards, horses, dentistry, and surgery—all in one day!

Despite my growing fascination, I tried everything to convince myself that I should NOT go to vet school. “You’re too old,” I would tell myself. “You have a mortgage. You hated your undergrad years. How will you pay for it?”

And Mandu? By then, four vets on two continents had told me she had the worst case of EGC they had ever seen. The fourth vet, though, was well versed in both traditional and alternative therapies. Under his care, and through the use of well-studied alternative remedies, Mandu’s health gradually improved.

I wanted to learn everything the fourth vet knew, and more. I wanted to help people like me, and I wanted to research new methods for treating stubborn illnesses. Veterinary medicine was no longer a casual interest. It was a purpose, a path, a mission. More than a mere job, veterinary medicine was something to which I could devote my life.

My excuses gradually melted away, and I soon found myself enrolled in prerequisite coursework, relishing the experience and the challenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed life as an adult student, and I look forward to adding a unique perspective to the incoming PVM class.

Even more importantly, though, someday I will look at a client and tell them that their cat has the worst case of EGC I have ever seen. But instead of fear, the look that crosses my face will be one of hope.