Before starting my fellowship, I kicked off my summer by traveling to Peru. This trip was not inherently veterinary-related, but cultural competence is vital in veterinary medicine, and I learned an immensely valuable lesson in an area that has been heavily shaped by colonial history while fiercely maintaining its indigenous Incan roots. 

Cultural competence directly affects the human-animal bond by improving client communication, fostering trust and helping veterinarians navigate the unique cultural views individuals hold regarding animal care and end-of-life decisions. Perspectives on animals in Peru blend Incan spiritual symbolism with modern ecological practices.

Symbolic animals connect the community to three distinct levels of existence: The condor connects humans to the upper world and the heavens, the puma connects us to the earth and the physical world and the snake represents the underworld and the continuation of life after death. 

Although livestock like horses and cattle were introduced by Spanish colonization, Peruvian agriculture still heavily relies on native alpacas, llamas and guinea pigs (cuy). For the adventurous eaters out there, I highly recommend trying at least one!

During my undergraduate career, I minored in anthropology due to a deep fascination with how different cultures define “disease” versus “illness.” You can think of disease as the objective biomedical process, whereas illness is an individual’s subjective, lived experience — one that is usually heavily influenced by their worldview. Because of the decentralized nature of the Peruvian healthcare system, it is common for individuals to consult both modern physicians and traditional Andean healers. In fact, daily usage of coca leaves and herbal remedies remains an integral part of community wellness.

However, a large factor behind the reliance on spiritual and holistic practices in Peru is the geographical isolation many communities face. At one point, my guide, Marco, and I crossed paths with a mother and daughter hiking high in the mountains. After a quick conversation, my guide explained they were making a grueling trek to the nearest trading center just to get basic food provisions. I immediately handed over all of the fresh fruit, cookies and snacks I had packed for my own journey. The relief on their faces was unforgettable, as it meant they could turn around and head back home, sparing them hours of walking. 

Before we parted ways, they began giving me traditional blessings specific to their region. It deeply touched me how an action that felt so simple to me completely changed the course of their day, leaving us with a profound connection despite our different backgrounds. It was a humbling moment that put everything into perspective. Imagine yourself 15 miles away from town and hours away from the nearest major metropolitan city with necessary resources, even medical care. This is the reality of many. 

From traversing the Andes to staring out over one of the Wonders of the World, I had the amazing opportunity to practice my Spanish and learn about the experiences of those who are keeping traditional Incan practices alive via sustainable tourism. I strongly believe that travel is important for a career in veterinary medicine as it reminds us that standards of care differ, whether due to cultural viewpoints or available resources. 

Once I touched down back in North Carolina, it was time to shift gears for my summer fellowship with the USDA. After the program’s cancellation last year, I was honored to again receive one of the two NC State CVM nominations to the prestigious Boehringer Ingelheim-USDA Agricultural Research Service Veterinary Scholars Program. This program aims to connect veterinary students with leading federal scientists to research livestock infectious diseases and global public health threats.

As the student assigned to the Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Research Unit, I will be focusing on the distribution of hemorrhagic diseases in Central and Western Africa. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you may be aware of the ongoing Ebola responses in the region. Ebola is a zoonotic virus, meaning it originates in animal reservoirs before spilling over into human populations. While Ebola symptoms initially manifest similarly to the flu, they can progress to severe internal or external bleeding. 

Working collaboratively with Dr. Lisa Hensley from the USDA, Dr. Anne Rimoin from UCLA and their teams, I’ll be supporting the response and epidemiological data analysis surrounding these outbreaks. 

Though it is early in the summer, this experience has been a reminder of how important veterinary perspectives and robust surveillance programs are to the survival of global public health infrastructure.