Moving to California

If you would have asked me a year, or even six months ago, what my plan for the future was, I would have enthusiastically told you that I was going to finish my undergraduate degree at University of Wisconsin - River Falls, go to vet school, and work as a veterinarian until it was time to retire.  I decided at the ripe old age of seven that I was going to become a veterinarian, and that was the end of it.  Over the next several years, I did everything I could to prepare me for my future career.  I put in hours upon hours of job shadowing. I worked hard in school.  I watched vet shows. I read vet books (I especially loved James Herriot. A veterinarian and a writer?  My hero.)  I was totally and completely in love with the idea of becoming a veterinarian, and for over 11 years I never questioned my dream.

Until suddenly, I was questioning it.  Was being a veterinarian really what I wanted?  Or was I simply hung up on my younger self's dreams?  Was this doubt just temporary because I was struggling in a class (Organic Chemistry, yuck) after previously doing very well in school, or was it something more than that?  I took some time to reflect on my life so far and to decide where I wanted to go from there. While part of me will always love the idea of becoming a veterinarian, I decided it was time for me to explore other options.  I just couldn't see myself doing that for the rest of my life anymore.

Over the past year, I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a program on campus called ADEPT (Assistance Dog Education Program and Training).  We work with dogs from PawPADs (Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs), a Service Dog organization in Lakeville, MN. I have gotten the chance to work with two amazing dogs, Neeco during fall semester and Charlie during the spring.  Through this experience, I have learned more about myself and about what I want to do with my life.

I considered multiple pathways and talked to many different people in the industry before deciding to transfer to Bergin College of Canine Studies in Penngrove, CA this fall.  I will be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Cynology (the study of dogs), and I am beyond excited for the direction my life is headed. My eventual goal is to open a facility that offers dog daycare, boarding, training, grooming, and retail.  Until then, I am excited to learn everything I can and to continue on this crazy journey called life!