It was clear to all that Madeleine was destined to be an amazing veterinarian. She had always been intelligent, compassionate, and kind. And most importantly, she loved animals!

She also loved the sea. But she had to leave it behind to go to vet school. She went to Davis knowing that she would learn all she needed to know to help marine mammals one day.

Madeleine worked extremely hard, took the most detailed notes anyone had ever seen, and even dissected a dog!

She became a mom to an adorable scruffy dog named Juniper. Junie was the luckiest pup on earth to have the best mom in the world (and a veterinarian, no less! Score!)

But veterinary school was extremely difficult. In fact, everyone in the school agreed on that. Sometimes Madeleine questioned whether she would really be an amazing veterinarian at all.

Of course, no one else ever had any doubt. All of her friends believed in her to the utmost. Juniper would love Madeleine no matter what, but admittedly, was also really banking on that free medical care.

Everyone knows that being an amazing veterinarian means more than treating the wounded. It means spreading love to every creature in need, including people! Madeleine was compassionate and loving to all of her patients, friends, classmates, and pets. Medical knowledge would surely come with experience, but being a good person is something that can't be taught. Madeleine's heart had always been in the right place.

Madeleine realized that all the livestock surgeries, spays and neuters, difficult exams, clinical rotations, and long nights of studying, were just a means to an end. Veterinary school was definitely a challenge to all, but with every small victory, Madeleine's skills and confidence grew a little bit more.

Madeleine was never alone. Everyone else in the school was struggling, too. She had dozens of friends and family who loved her and believed in her whole-heartedly. Many people would rush to her side if she needed them, and Junie made sure to leave her schedule open for cuddles at a moment's notice.

While it surely was silly that zoo and aquatic vets had to take the large animal track, finding out what she didn't like helped push her toward her true path. After all, vet school was a learning opportunity and a chance to build experience in a low-stakes environment.

It's just like grandma always used to say...

"There are plenty of mammals in the sea, but sometimes to get to them, you have to palpate a few rectums."