Hard work and determination are paying off despite the pandemic for Gaibrielle Bressler, a first semester senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture/animal and poultry science’s pre-vet program. Bressler is on track to graduate a semester early, is eligible for early admission to veterinary school and has been selected to attend Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine’s Vet Up College internship this summer. She was to have participated in the six-week internship last summer until COVID-19 delayed her plans.
“Luckily, the program will resume this summer in a virtual format and those of us who were accepted last year were given priority,” Bressler said. The goal of the program, she said, is to prepare students like herself “to be competitive in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine applicant pool.” Completion of the internship could yield her one of the coveted early admission offers that are a potential benefit from the program.
Bressler, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to Prince George’s County six years ago. She has always had a passion, she said, for “being around, caring for and learning about animals” and believes that she chose the right school and right career path.
“UMES has helped me achieve my goals by maintaining a pre-vet program designed for students to be able to take animal science courses and work hands-on with them on the UMES farm,” Bressler said. She also attributes her academic success to dedicated faculty members, such as Dr. Kimberly Braxton, a UMES alumna, assistant professor and campus veterinarian.
“She works so hard to ensure that her students accomplish and succeed in their goals,” Bressler said. Braxton works closely, she said, with each of her students and provides numerous professional experiences and opportunities to enhance what is learned in the classroom. “I know that if I ever have any questions, she is always there to answer them.”
One of those experiential learning experiences came in the way of assisting with a March 23 clinic for the Humane Society of Wicomico County. Bressler “scrubbed in” with Braxton for 13 spay and neuter surgeries on dogs and cats where she was able to practice surgical and animal restraint techniques. Though not her first time watching, it was her first time being hands-on for the procedure. Bressler has worked as a veterinary assistant at the Dupont Veterinary Clinic in Washington, D.C. since December, going home biweekly and working on the weekends.
“It’s so interesting to see how each individual animal is different even though they all have the same anatomy,” she said.
Advice that Bressler would like to pass along to her successors is, “If you have a goal or anything you are passionate about, make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you, because you can never have too much experience. It can make all the difference.”
“Gaibrielle is truly one of the most reliable, hardworking and bright students I have had the pleasure of working with on and off the university farm. I have no doubt she will reach her goal of becoming a great veterinarian,” Braxton said.
Fellow UMES pre-vet students Dannielle Cruthfield (senior) and Natalie Grant (junior) were also among the 26 students who earned a spot in the Vet Up College internship at Purdue this summer.
Above: Gaibrelle Bressleer, a senior majoring in general agriculture/animal science with a pre-vet track at UMES, “scrubs in” to assist Dr. Kimberly Braxton, UMES alumna, assistant professor and veterinarian, during a spay and neuter clinic March 23 at the Humane Society of Wicomico County.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
