Class of 2024: A Standing Ovation for the Animals That Saw Us Through

By Claire Ludwig

If you were to ask the members of the Class of 2024 why they want to be veterinarians, a common answer would be, “Well, I love animals.” And we do. That is why so many of us have animals patiently waiting for us to return home every day. These animals do not get enough credit for the important role they play in our lives.

There is no question that becoming a veterinarian requires a lot of sacrifice. It is easy to think about the missed social events with friends and missed holidays with family, but we should also think about the amount of time we miss with our personal pets at home. 

In fact, they are potentially the ones who have sacrificed most of all. Yet, they never fail to greet us with a smile, a lick, a tail wag or even a purr when we get home. 

The term “Heart Dog” (or cat or horse) refers to a dog that manages to wiggle its way into the deepest chambers of your heart and leaves a lasting imprint there. It is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of relationship with an animal that helps shape who you are as a person. 

For me, this is my dog, Bentley. I adopted Bentley when I was 16 years old, and over the last nine years, he has helped me grow into the person I am today. He has been my biggest supporter and truly my best friend. Once I entered vet school, he became my loyal study partner and was always willing to help when I wanted to practice my physical exams. Because of him, I will be a better doctor for the animals I treat and the people who love them. 

In “Marley and Me,” John Grogan wrote, “A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his.”  And so it is for me and Bentley. 

I know I am not the only one who has been lucky enough to be supported by an amazing animal throughout vet school, so here’s to the pets of the Class of 2024! To the animals that inspire us to keep going and never give up. To the ones who celebrate with us on our good days and comfort us on our worst days. They remind us why we chose to dedicate our lives to helping animals and teach us empathy in ways no lecture ever could. They truly are the greatest gifts. 

As I reflect on my life, I smile thinking about how Bentley has been present for most of my major life events. He was there for my high school graduation, my college graduation and soon he will be there for my vet school graduation. 

The Class of 2024 definitely deserves a round of applause, but I think the animals who helped us get where we are today deserve one as well. I give them a standing ovation!