I have wanted to be a wildlife veterinarian since I was three years old. My father is a physician, my mother is a wildlife zoologist/biologist, and my grandfather was a wildlife conservation biologist. My early exposure to these professions led me to my goals of contributing towards the health and conservation of wildlife and exotic animal species.

I attended Auburn for both my undergraduate and veterinary degrees. At the time, Auburn didn't have a wildlife or exotic animal program. I had to pave my own path, remain convicted to my passion, and it made me a stronger person. That dedication is something I try to teach my students. I offer my students every opportunity available to help them reach their career goals, and encourage them to follow their passions no matter how specialized they may be. It is my privilege to help them reach those goals in any way that I can. I also encourage them to become involved with organizations like SAVMA so that they can make good collegial connections and talk to people, who can assist them in achievement of their goals, early in their academic careers.

The AVMA is important because it is the professional representative of all that the veterinary world embodies. That's why I joined SAVMA as a student. I encourage my students to join so they have an organization in which they can participate, get to know their academic colleagues and learn team-oriented skills. This is the foundation that helps them to become leaders. SAVMA also provides an opportunity for them to attend a conference and meet other professionals who can help advance them in their careers, and will be contacts for the years to come.

At St. George's University I mentor between 5-15 students a week on average. I spend about three hours per day with students. I help guide them on career paths, organize their CVs and assist them with anything else they might not learn from text books, but could use to further their futures.

SAVMA helps build networks through the connections of thousands of colleagues across all veterinary schools. The AVMA network is very important to me because I rely on my colleagues when my students have questions or need guidance in a field that I cannot personally represent for them. It's a critical part of what I use to mentor students. AVMA represents a tremendous network of colleagues who specialize in everything from oncology to general medicine and general mixed animal practice. I have all of these wonderful colleagues who I can count on to help me mentor these students and offer them the best opportunities for their futures in the veterinary world. Membership also allows them access to the publication of new information and opportunities from those advancing the field of veterinary medicine through JAVMA and AJVR, further their chances to expand into their futures mentally and physically.

SUPPORT FOR FUTURE COLLEAGUES
The AVMA and SAVMA expose students to opportunities they might not get otherwise. For Dr. Rush, using that network to support the dreams and aspirations of her students is an invaluable teaching and mentoring tool.