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Originally born in the West Kootenays of British Columbia, Meghan Lawrence moved to Ottawa at the age of five and grew up in the heart of downtown鈥攋ust a 15-minute bike ride from Parliament Hill. Now in her fourth year of Bio-Veterinary Science, Meghan has found a second home at H漫画鈥檚 Faculty of Agriculture in Truro, Nova Scotia.

鈥淚 applied on a whim,鈥� Meghan admits. 鈥淚 knew if I wanted to grow as a person, I needed to step outside my comfort zone,鈥� she explained.鈥� Drawn to the program, Meghan took a chance鈥攁nd never looked back. 鈥淚 wanted to connect my love for science, animals, interpersonal relationships, and hard work. I鈥檓 beyond happy to say I鈥檝e achieved that in abundance.鈥�

Although she grew up in Ottawa, H漫画 was already on Meghan鈥檚 radar鈥攈er grandfather was an alumnus 鈥� Ted Lawrence, Geology 1964, and her brother studied at NSCAD in Halifax. But it was the Bio-Veterinary Science program that ultimately led her to Truro. 鈥淢y mom and I toured the campus when I was still in high school. I can鈥檛 even remember if I鈥檇 been accepted yet,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淚 was totally mesmerized by the Collins greenhouse鈥攁nd I spent a lot of time there in first year.鈥�

Meghan鈥檚 love of animals began with a love of the outdoors. Living in grizzly bear territory during her early years gave her a natural awareness and respect for wildlife. From pets at home to horseback riding camps, animals were always part of her life. 鈥淚 never set out to be a vet. Loving animals was a given, but I hadn鈥檛 considered making it a career. It wasn鈥檛 until university that this passion really took off.鈥�

The Ruminant Animal Centre (RAC) is Meghan鈥檚 favourite part of campus.聽 From volunteering with cannulated cattle to taking part in practicums, the on-campus farm has played a central role in her hands-on learning. But what stands out most to her is the close-knit community. 鈥淏eing able to build strong relationships with professors, TAs, and staff has made my experience superior in many ways.鈥�

Meghan鈥檚 schedule includes volunteering at the RAC, participating in local dairy practicums (including ultrasounding calves and pregnancy checks), and helping at the Community Vet Outreach clinics in Dartmouth. She also takes pottery classes every Saturday and enjoys events like College Royal and Farmers Olympics. When time allows, she can be found cheering on or joining intramural sports.

鈥淢eghan is a 鈥渞egular鈥� at the RAC and just brings positive energy to our animals and staff as soon as she walks through the doors,鈥� said Farm Operations Manager Jean Lynds.聽 鈥淗er connection to animals shines through particularly in her interactions with her 鈥榓dopt-a-cow鈥� and her special interest in the care of our cannulated cows. One cannot help cheer Meghan on in her pursuit of a career in veterinary medicine - she鈥檚 awesome!鈥�

With her sights set on the Ontario Veterinary College, Meghan hopes to pursue a career in large animal medicine鈥攕pecifically working with cattle. She鈥檚 passionate about the One Health initiative, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. 鈥淚 want to apply that philosophy across all my future endeavors,鈥� she says.