To me, animals are more than just cute creatures- they are companions that share our emotions and uplift our lives. At the age of three, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the white blood cells.I remember being constantly pricked and prodded with needles, IV’s, and catheters and for the next four years, I would undergo chemotherapy treatment and multiple procedures until my cancer was in remission. When I was nine years old, my cancer relapsed and I was on aggressive chemotherapy again. As I was now in elementary school, not only did the chemotherapy take a toll on me physically once again, but mentally and socially as well. The medications had terrible side effects: hair loss, stunted growth, and weight gain. This resulted in my peers making fun of my physical appearance leaving me feeling isolated. I’ll never forget the comforting feeling I had when the nurses would bring a therapy dog to my room. It was during these times that I felt hopeful about the future and began to build a special connection with animals. When I was nine-years old, I met Dr. Lee Morgan, a veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital, in Washington DC, who showed me how to provide compassionate care to animals. For the past ten years, I have shadowed Dr. Morgan to learn more about veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and what it means to be a veterinarian. Since September, I have had the fortunate opportunity to intern with Dr. Morgan as a veterinary tech where I give shots, draw blood, take x-rays, and assist in surgery. I have learned the importance of problem-solving, critical thinking, and continuous learning so that I could be a competent and caring veterinarian in the future. Having been a patient for most of my life, I envision myself in a career related to medicine, health, and science. When I took my AP Biology course, I was fascinated by the complexity of cell signaling and how cells were all connected. Learning about cancer from a biology perspective made me appreciate the advanced therapies that were developed to target ALL. In college, I hope to take courses such as comparative anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry to gain a deep understanding behind animal diseases and treatments. Outside the classroom, I want to volunteer at animal shelters and conduct research in veterinary medicine. I hope that I can use the experiences that I have had, to better myself in my journey towards becoming a Veterinarian.