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Q: What drew you to pursue veterinary medicine at Tuskegee University?A. Eighty percent of all African American veterinarians graduated from Tuskegee. It holds a lot of history. When Black people were not allowed to attend school, let alone earn a doctorate to practice medicine, this school was created. It is a small university, but the classes were closeknit and felt more like family.Q: What made you interested in rehabilitation and acupuncture for animals?A. As a student-athlete running track in high school and receiving a scholarship for college, health became very important to me. In my community, the knowledge wasn%u2019t there, and you often saw people indulging in activities that harmed their health. In college, I began learning Mandarin Chinese and exploring Chinese herbs and sciences that provided alternative healing methods without all the side effects. After seeing so many people put their elderly animals down, it was gratifying to offer alternative therapies to extend their pets%u2019 lives. It was a bonus to discover that much of Chinese medicine for human health in sports and everyday life also works for animals. Q: Can you share a memorable success story from your work in animal rehabilitation?A. Yes, I have treated several animals that have fallen victim to conditions like disc disease, organ dysfunction, old age, or trauma that left them paralyzed and unable to walk. With alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbal supplements, and some conventional medicine, I was able to help them walk again.78 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 63