For most, the idea of working in veterinary medicine conjures images of a small animal vet treating dogs and cats in a local clinic. And many Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree-holders do pursue this type of veterinary career path.

But there are a vast number of veterinary specialties beyond working in a clinic as a small animal vet. St. George’s University (SGU) is no stranger to training DVMs who go on to find success in these exciting areas of practice. Read how three SGU graduates pursued unique opportunities that have shaped their veterinary careers.

3 Inspiring SGU veterinarian success stories

We’re all familiar with the intricacies of the medical system for human patients including different specialists for heart conditions, neurological ailments, bone injuries, and the like. The same complexity is true for the providers who treat animals.

A veterinary specialist may focus on a specific type of treatment, such as surgery. Other vets might work with one species of animal or perhaps the animal life included in a specific region of the world.

Whatever the area of focus, the health and well-being of our animal populations are dependent on practitioners who pursue a competitive veterinary specialty. We talked with three SGU grads have committed their professional lives to that very cause.

1. Wildlife veterinarian helps where he’s needed

Dr. Andrew Kushnir always had lofty goals for his veterinary career. “I never really saw myself as the kind of veterinarian you’d find at a local small practice,” he says. “I always wanted to be working with vulnerable animal populations, such as wildlife, animals on the street, or in a shelter setting—essentially, those with no one really advocating for their well-being.”

His two siblings both pursued medical degrees at SGU, but Dr. Kushnir excitedly enrolled in the School of Veterinary Medicine. “Studying at SGU and living in Grenada definitely helped me build up my foundation of knowledge and comfort in a clinical setting, but it also fostered a passion for wanting to work with the most vulnerable animal populations in whatever environment they’re found,” he recounts.

After graduating from SGU, Dr. Kushnir completed a Shelter Medicine internship followed by a Wildlife Medicine internship—both through the San Diego Humane Society. He’s since joined Project Wildlife as a staff veterinarian. The San Diego-based organization is dedicated to treating the area’s diverse population of endangered species, treating more than 14,000 wildlife patients each year.

“Examining more than 100 new animals a day is not uncommon, and their medical presentation can range from healthy babies to debilitated and injured adults,” Dr. Kushnir explains of his role at Project Wildlife. “I could be examining a group of nine healthy, young opossums one minute and then scrubbing into orthopedic surgery to fix a fractured humerus in a great horned owl the next minute.”

The variety is part of what he loves about being a wildlife veterinarian. “[It] keeps me on my toes in the hospital and keeps me excited about what I’ll see next,” Dr. Kushnir says.

In addition to his work with Project Wildlife, Dr. Kushnir volunteers his services in a number of different ways. He’s spent time in Mexico, assisting an organization focused on reducing the stray dog and cat population. He’s also volunteered at a wildlife hospital in Costa Rica and has even aided in important research efforts related to reptiles and amphibians in Central Florida.

Most recently, Dr. Kushnir traveled to Poland with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to provide on-the-ground support for refugees and their pets who have evacuated from war-torn Ukraine.

His veterinary specialty has introduced him to a diverse range of experiences he’d only dreamed about as a vet student. And Dr. Kushnir felt well-prepared for all the challenges he would face on the job. “The transition from being a veterinary student to a veterinary professional is challenging for everyone, but the experience of attending SGU really prepared future professionals like myself to adapt well to change,” he says.

2. Veterinary surgeon fulfills her life-long goal

Dr. Nicole Salas’ dream of practicing veterinary medicine started when she was young. “I’ve always loved animals and wanted to spend my life helping them and contributing to their healing,” she says. “I decided that when I was four—at least that’s what my mom tells me.”

As a young veterinary hopeful, Dr. Salas focused on getting into a great college that would help set her up for her future as a vet student. She completed her undergraduate education at Cornell University while gaining hands-on experience in local clinics.

After hearing about SGU through a vet she was working for, Dr. Salas decided to apply. In her early days in the DVM program, she had her sights set on becoming a zoo vet. “I focused my externships on the zoo and wildlife fields, but once I was introduced to surgery, I knew it was the direction I needed to pursue,” Dr. Salas recalls.

She was pleasantly surprised to see that SGU provides students with exposure to veterinary surgery early on in their DVM experiences. “I remember my first cystotomy on a pig—it was like I was awakened to this new possibility of my future,” Dr. Salas says. But surgical skills weren’t the only thing she gained from attending vet school.

“SGU prepared me to be a well-rounded veterinarian,” Dr. Salas states. “I didn’t feel like a number—I felt like my professors really wanted to make sure I’d be successful in all I did.”

She now maintains a successful practice in small animal surgery, mostly treating cats and dogs. “However, I practiced in Tampa for eight years working on wildlife and zoo animals,” Dr. Salas says, noting that she still enjoys receiving the occasional call to assist at a local zoo.

Choosing a veterinary specialty might seem like an intimidating task, but Dr. Salas encourages vet students to explore their options with an open mind. “The best advice I can give would be to just give it time. You will be introduced to an aspect of veterinary medicine that draws you in, and you’ll become immersed in it,” she says.

3. Veterinary cardiologist focuses on the human–animal bond

Dr. Amanda LaRose always felt there was something special about animals. But it wasn’t until she realized just how beneficial they can be to their human counterparts that she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

“Growing up as a horseback rider helped me realize how valuable the human/animal bond is to a person’s health and mental stability,” Dr. LaRose explains. “I wanted to become a vet to enhance that bond through general wellness and client education.”

Once she was enrolled at SGU, Dr. LaRose immersed herself in the culture of the school and its Caribbean backdrop. “As a student, I truly took advantage of what SGU and the island had to offer. This included things like wet labs, school clubs, and class fundraisers,” she says. “I also enjoyed the island by taking advantage of the tourism and local events. I loved that after a rough test or midterms, we could go to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world to unwind.”

Attending SGU provided Dr. LaRose with an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills related to veterinary medicine while also offering a one-of-a-kind life experience. “The thought of moving to another country was daunting,” she admits. “But all of the SGU students and graduates I had spoken to were happy with their experiences and their education.”

Dr. LaRose is currently completing her veterinary cardiology residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, where she mainly treats dogs, cats, and other small animals like ferrets, guinea pigs, and birds. Veterinary cardiology drew her in because it gives her an opportunity to be a “jack of all trades.”

“I not only get to diagnose a disease through endocardiograms, but I can manage it with medications or potentially fix it with minimally invasive surgery. I can also enjoy the long-term follow-up care that’s required with many patients,” Dr. LaRose explains.

“Finally, through our services, we’re able to provide extended quality time for our terminally ill patients,” she continues. “I can’t even begin to explain the feeling of being able to give an owner more time with their pet and provide those last days or week to come to terms with their pet’s condition.”

Overall, Dr. LaRose enjoys the unpredictability of each day on the job. “What congenital case will we see? What animal will we save today? What cool cardiomyopathy might we come across?” she finds herself asking each morning.

Dr. LaRose is set to complete her residency in the summer of 2022 and looks forward to a successful career as a veterinary cardiologist.

Find the right veterinary specialty for you

Veterinarian success stories like these are made possible when passionate, dedicated pre-vet students commit to pursuing their goals, no matter which type of veterinary medicine they go on to practice. The widespread support and experiential learning offered by the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine can help you get there.

SGU has educated successful practitioners in a range of competitive veterinary specialties. From qualified instructors to modern skills labs and exciting research opportunities, this Caribbean vet school can prepare students for a career in veterinary medicine.

Learn more about the ways SGU can help you succeed in vet school by visiting our article “10 Things You May Not Know About the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine.”