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Sharing Her Passion for Animals
Following her passion for scholastics and animals, Mary Cate Hyde ’19 enjoyed the amazing opportunity to study at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for three weeks this summer.
Cornell is one of the top veterinary schools in the world, and she was one of just seventy-five students chosen to participate in the Veterinary Medicine: Small Animal Practice course for college credit through the Cornell Summer College program.
“During my time there, I learned a vast amount about veterinary anatomy, physiology, immunology, and practice. We had daily lectures at the veterinary school taught by professors and current veterinary students. The workload was intense, but I was definitely thankful for everything I had learned in my AP Biology course last school year. It prepared me well,” recalled Mary Cate with enthusiasm.
Additionally, she gained invaluable hands-on experience in the veterinary field as she was able to do dissections of various parts of the body, perform physical examinations on live teaching dogs, practice CPR on canine models, and learn various suturing and bandaging techniques.
“Cornell University Summer College was an unforgettable experience. Not only was I able to learn an incredible amount about the veterinary profession, but I left the program with a greater sense of college life, strong friendships with people from all over the globe, and a strengthened desire to pursue veterinary medicine.”
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“During my time there, I learned a vast amount about veterinary anatomy, physiology, immunology, and practice. We had daily lectures at the veterinary school taught by professors and current veterinary students. The workload was intense, but I was definitely thankful for everything I had learned in my AP Biology course last school year. It prepared me well,” recalled Mary Cate with enthusiasm.
Additionally, she gained invaluable hands-on experience in the veterinary field as she was able to do dissections of various parts of the body, perform physical examinations on live teaching dogs, practice CPR on canine models, and learn various suturing and bandaging techniques.
“Cornell University Summer College was an unforgettable experience. Not only was I able to learn an incredible amount about the veterinary profession, but I left the program with a greater sense of college life, strong friendships with people from all over the globe, and a strengthened desire to pursue veterinary medicine.”
For now, Mary Cate puts her passion into play closer to home in the local community. Keeping busy with working as a veterinary assistant at Napa River Pet Hospital, volunteering in the songbird clinic at Napa Wildlife Rescue, or phone-banking through the Humane Society to promote animal-friendly legislation nationwide, Mary Cate still finds time to share her passion on campus. She serves as the current president of the PAWS animal welfare student club and the vice president of the Medial Futures Club at Justin-Siena. Last year, the PAWS Club’s activities included a canned pet food drive, hand-making blankets for the local animal shelter, and volunteering with displaced animals during last year’s October wildfires. “This year, I am hoping to expand upon these programs by helping students become more active in promoting animal-friendly legislature and incorporating what I learned at Cornell into informational presentations (such as a CPR demonstration) for both the PAWS and Medical Futures Club.”
“As I begin my senior year and heighten my college search, I know that I want to go somewhere that will prepare me well for veterinary school and allow me to have opportunities to pursue what I’m passionate about as I have during my time at Justin-Siena. I believe both my summer experience at Cornell and my four years at Justin-Siena will leave me well-prepared for college and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”
Justin-Siena High School
Justin-Siena is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory community that serves young people in grades 9–12.