Student Stories is a collaboration between The Merck Manuals and real veterinary students. Our team of bloggers offers insights, tips, and a glimpse into what it’s like to experience veterinary school today. Meet our current contributors below. If you are a current pre-vet, first, second, or third-year veterinary student and are interested in becoming one of our bloggers, please visit our Blog For Us page to learn more.
Maxbetter
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Maxbetter has been cultivating his interest in veterinary medicine from a young age. From being read Russian children’s stories about “Doctor Aybolit” by his grandmother to interning at the Israeli Wildlife Hospital to working as a vet at several small animal practices in the greater Boston area, he has thoroughly enjoyed learning about and sharing his joy of animals over the years.
121 Articles
Maria Estefania
Maria Estefania is graduated from the Tuskegee University Class of 2020. She was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. From a young age, her family fostered a genuine interest in animal welfare, and Maria Estefania became dedicated to taking care of injured stray cats in her neighborhood. She will be working in shelter medicine and she is currently the client education coordinator of the Latinx Veterinary Medical Association where she will be creating Spanish handouts and resources for pet owners. In her free time, she loves reading, writing, and creating digital content. She also aspires to become a role model for low-income students to inspire them through sharing her personal journey.
68 Articles
Brandy
Brandy knew from a very young age that she was destined to be a veterinarian. She grew up riding horses, working cows, and training dogs. Brandy has several dogs, and she currently competes with them in agility, conformation, rally obedience and other dog sports. Brandy has one horse, a six-year-old quarter horse named Rocky who she has enjoyed teaching most of his training and groundwork. Brandy graduated from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS in 2017 with a BS in Biology and is currently a third-year at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Brandy hopes to move back home to Southwest Missouri to be closer to family and work in a small or mixed animal practice. Brandy’s current interests in veterinary medicine are surgery, behavior, and theriogenology.
59 Articles
Morgan
Hello readers, I’m Morgan! I am currently in my fourth and final year of veterinary school at Iowa State. I have lived in Iowa my whole life, and I’m hoping that after graduation I can explore a bit, and move out of the state to practice small and exotic animal medicine. I have a passion for our feathered and scaly pets, as well as wildlife and zoo medicine. I also have an interest in clinical research. I hope that you enjoy my stories as a veterinary student mom with two kids, trying to navigate my clinical year. For more on my journey through vet school, give me a follow on Instagram @hippy_vetstudent
59 Articles
Andrew
Andrew is a Tufts graduate and currently a rotating intern at Bluepearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, FL. His interest in ecology and conservation has taken him to places like the Amazon, the Galapagos, Belize, and Honduras where he experienced, firsthand, the relationship between humans, animals, and the environment. Combining his love for nature and medicine, he founded the nonprofit organization Animal Awareness Abroad that aims to provide veterinary care to underserved communities around the world and promote One Health. A huge proponent of work-life balance he enjoys cooking, reading, and rock-climbing.
44 Articles
Lauren
I am a second-year veterinary student at Iowa State University from Scottsdale, Arizona with plans to practice emergency and critical care small animal medicine in a big city after I graduate. I am especially interested in cases involved with cardiology, anaphylaxis, and trauma. Outside of school, I love running, hiking, and yoga. I also love cooking and spoiling my golden retriever puppy named Sunny.
14 Articles
Kaisha
Born and raised in Puerto Rico where I graduated from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico with a B.S. I am currently a fourth-year veterinary student and aspiring small animal practitioner. In my free time, I enjoy indoor rock climbing, hiking, and hanging out with my dog.
4 Articles
