Jessica Hennig '10

Major: Equine Preveterinary Medicine

After a few weeks of studying animal science at another college, I was tired of studying cattle and pigs. I loved horses. I'd looked into Otterbein's equine science program before, and couldn't get it off my mind. So the next semester, I transferred.

Still, I didn't want a regular vet school track. I wanted to do research. Dr. Birmingham urged me to talk to other equine scientists with my dream job, and learn from them. That's how I met Dr. Peter Timoney, a world-renowned expert on the equine arteritis virus at the University of Kentucky. I've now completed two internships with Dr. Timoney, and presented at the International Workshop on Equine Viral Arteritis with 40 of the field's top scientists. I've also started a service initiative to engage Otterbein students in helping local rescue organizations keep abandoned horses safe, clean and fed.

All of this confirms something I've always believed: You shouldn't sit back and wait. If you want something, ask for it. Dive in. I didn't just land at Otterbein. I chose it. And if I hadn't, I wouldn't be where I am today.