Katerine Angeles has always had her heart set on becoming a veterinarian.
Growing up in the Bronx, New York, she jumped at opportunities to volunteer with animal care organizations, working with cats, dogs, exotics, and even farm animals before joining the Irondequoit Animal Hospital, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, as a kennel technician in December 2020.
Now a fourth-year student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Katerine first heard about VetUP! Purdue, an award-winning summer scholarship program for college students, from her school’s veterinary club.
“At first, I just went to the informational session to see what it was about. When I found out it was all paid for and we were going to be exposed to so much hands-on experience, I knew it would be a good opportunity to be exposed to.”
Designed to simulate the four years of veterinary school — with four weeks of veterinary education on-site at Purdue and two weeks offsite shadowing at a sponsoring hospital — the program is completely subsidized and includes a daily stipend. It’s also incredibly competitive, with less than 30 students admitted each summer.
Throughout the on-site experience, students participate in coursework, exams, animal experience, career exploration, mentorship, strategies to minimize educational debt, and cultural competence training.
“We had critical care, neurology, anatomy, parasitology, pathology – a bunch of different classes that I would be taking during vet school. It was pretty cool, we had an equine class, a swine class – that one was not my favorite, it was very smelly!” Katerine laughs.
Expanding her knowledge of the veterinary profession — likes and dislikes included — has helped Katerine crystallize her future goals.
“I definitely see myself trying to pursue neurology, if not critical care and rehabilitation. Neurology is very hard because it’s the brain, but it’s super cool. But with critical care and rehabilitation, I feel like it would be rewarding to see patients get better.”
When it was time for the clinical portion of the program, completing her shadowing at her home hospital was a no brainer for Katerine – and for Irondequoit and Thrive, as well.
“Katerine is wonderful; she has done an amazing job at Irondequoit and is a valued team member. We are very excited to be able to do this for her,” says Jeannine Natale, practice manager at Irondequoit Animal Hospital.
Thrive was thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Purdue to concierge Katerine’s experience and invest in her personal and professional growth, and we hope to continue our collaboration with VetUP! by supporting the participation of more team members and Thrive hospitals moving forward.
Katerine’s VetUP! Purdue experience has made a lasting impact not only academically and professionally, but in terms of connecting her to a wider network of support from individuals who are just as passionate about pet care and the human-animal bond as she is.
“I thought I knew a lot [about the veterinary profession], but the experience showed me how little I knew! I feel like I have good support now for my whole DVM process. It just feels like I have a closer-knit community overall.”
Supported by her veterinary community, Katerine is excited about the road ahead.
Back in Rochester, she’ll be transitioning into a veterinary assistant role at Irondequoit, gaining invaluable animal care experience that will continue pushing her toward her goals.
Most excitingly, Katerine recently learned that her early admission application to Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine was accepted — she will be embarking on her first year of veterinary school beginning Fall 2023!
"It was a pleasure to have Katerine shadow us during her VetUP! program. She showed great initiative with her enrollment in this program, and we are so excited to celebrate her acceptance to Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine! Congratulations, Kat!" cheers Dr. Monica Bunkenberg, Medical Director at Irondequoit Animal Hospital.
Wherever Katerine’s journey takes her, we know her future will be bright – and we can’t wait to keep watching her thrive.
