What Becoming a Veterinarian Means to Me

It has been my dream for the past few years ever since I started working at Proctorville Animal Clinic, to follow in my fathers footsteps and become a Veterinarian. Sometimes I question myself; 'Do I really want to be a veterinarian or am I just making a impulsive decision and I am truly indecisive about my future career?' I think very often about it and I must say, I can't see myself committing to any other career because I have the perfect path to success in Veterinary Medicine.

I specifically desire to attend OSUCVM, (Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine) which is where my dad graduated from after getting his Bachelors degree in zoology at Marshall University. Although it may not help but he is a member of the OSUCVM board of application revisers along with one of his 3 partners, Dr. Walker. It also doesn't hurt that I've grown up around domestic and livestock animals and working at the clinic every summer and every weekend until I apply to OSUCVM.

Regardless of all of the advantages I have to get into vet school it's going to be really tough, I'll have to make big sacrifices, but in the end I am sure it is worth it. In order to continue living the life I'm living now, I know I can do it because I can accomplish any goal I set through Christ. If he wouldn't have transformed me into the way I am now, I would probably not have even started college. I am inspired to become the best I can be in the field that I commit to. And so I leave you with the "Veterinarian's Prayer" that is framed on the wall of one of my dad's exam rooms.

Dear Lord,

I ask that you guide my hands...

and fill my heart with compassion and love,

as I tend to the animals

that are brought before me.

When I am tired...grant me

the energy to persevere.

When I am unsure, grant me

the wisdom to make the right choices...

When I am saddened...grant me

with the ability to share my sorrow.

When I am running behind schedule...

grant me the patience to focus on

what is in front of me.

When I am overwhelmed,

grant me a quiet space to collect my thoughts.

Fill me with a thirst for knowledge,

so that I may remain current in my thinking.

Help me to comfort and console

all those who experience

some form of tragedy or loss.

And finally, Lord, allow me

to extract the best from every day...

So that I may continue

to greet each new dawn

with enthusiasm and dedication...

for this profession,

to which I commit my life.

Naaman

BBYM Drummer