By Dr. Karen Phillips
Even as a kid, there was no question. I was going to be a veterinarian.
But after I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998, I struggled to figure out what direction I wanted my veterinary career to take. Moving from the sticks of Vermont to the bustling streets of West Philly was quite a culture shock for me—and so was the discovery that working in private practice was not fulfilling! I loved the animals, but I didn’t feel I was making enough of a difference.
I tried emergency medicine and relief work before I discovered shelter medicine and realized that helping abused and abandoned animals was what I was meant to do. Now that I’ve joined Animal Friends’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program, I feel blessed to have finally discovered my passion.
By being a part of the program, I am making a difference by fighting the pet overpopulation problem, and I know that reducing the number of homeless pets is the most worthwhile way to focus my career.
And, there are so many other animals that need care and compassion! One day soon I hope to help farm animals by opening a sanctuary to allow them to live out their lives free of cruelty and abuse. I already have numerous abandoned creatures on my seven-acre “farmette” ranging from chickens, turkeys and ducks to a pig and a peacock. Not to mention the cats and my “son” the Boston terrier, Parker Vern Stevenson Phillips.
Thanks to my work with Animal Friends and animals in need, I’m finally living my dream!
Animal Friends’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter program depends on donations from the community. Help us spay or neuter a pet in our region that otherwise wouldn’t be altered. Sponsor a spay today!