Support Hannah’s Vet Med Journey to South Africa

My name is Hannah Czerminski. I am currently a second year veterinary student at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. This summer I have the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to South Africa to offer services to a rural community and their animals, through spay and neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, basic wellness checks, etc. Additionally, I will have the ability to learn about African wildlife and get some hands on experience with some of their native species.

Veterinary medicine is and has always been a huge passion of mine- my parents will even testify that I said I wanted to be a vet when I grow up since the time I could form sentences. Taking care of animals is the obvious reason people get into this field, but for me this is just the tip of the iceberg to explain my reasons why I chose this career. I value relationships with people and caring for others, whether it be in small gestures to check in on someone, or grand gestures, offering the most with the resources that are available. I am a caretaker at heart. Veterinary medicine is about so much more than just caring for the pet or the animals; I care for the animals because I care so deeply for the owners. These pets are their family and I want to do everything in my power to care for their family member. This is why going on this trip to South Africa is so important to me. I want to offer any kind of service I can to ensure the wellbeing and prosperity of these peoples’ pets in a rural community that may not have the resources available to them to give their pets proper care.

Additionally to caring for people and their pets, I am very passionate about learning from anywhere and everywhere. I love the career I have chosen and I want to gain as much experience as I can to perfect my craft. While I will be offering veterinary care and support for the pets of a rural community, this is an educational opportunity to learn about African wildlife veterinary medicine that I may not ever have the opportunity to obtain elsewhere, especially at the magnitude that is being offered on this trip.

This experience is invaluable to me and I know that I would regret not going later in life. I have never been one to ask for help of any kind, but this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is one that I simply cannot pass up. All I need is help getting there. Any amount is significant and is so greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for reading my story and for considering contributing to my education.