I’m officially stateside for good!! And while I couldn’t be happier for the next chapter, last week was a tough one. Finals. Trying to soak up as much sun, sand, and sea as I could my last few days on island. Spending as much time as possible with my island family. Saying goodbye to them and a beautiful island I’ve called home for the last 2 years and 8 months. It’s crazy how time flies. I can’t believe my time on island is over. I remember being so apprehensive about moving to a foreign country to follow my dream, not knowing what to expect at all. The program turned out to be amazing. Tough and challenging, but so rewarding. And then there are the people I met along the way that I could have never anticipated their importance to my journey. These dear friends became family, and we formed a bond so strong that nothing will keep us apart. We may all be going in different directions for the next chapter but these people will always be there to support me, and I’ll be there for them. I couldn’t have asked for better friends, and I love you all so much! I can’t wait to see all the great things we accomplish over the next year! Now it’s time for my next great adventure: Oklahoma here I come! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwj_ZxMFGYX8Hlso2p5ZSlQxLxzznyW5WymAv80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d2zw0blqb0n0

Got to have dinner with these lovely people tonight! I can’t believe in just over 30 days we all won’t be together. These people have become family and I’m gonna miss seeing them everyday. So incredibly grateful for each of these amazing people. Love you guys! #grateful #friendsthatbecamefamily (at Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvF8YE5lrQ9f3hsFFkEj92TaIbohEIOcHhL8AM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2140c1duwcqv

I got to perform my first canine neuter today and it was amazing! But better than that I got to share the OR with these AMAZING women today on #internationalwomensday What better way to celebrate but with an OR filled with nothing but women surgeons!? #rossvetmed #becomingdrward (at St. Kitts British West Indies Caribbean Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuxH0RsFU3dlLwQfe2mtRwHr5AgVDytFynAE6Y0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nlf1vimek5at

It’s official I’m heading west to Oklahoma in May to complete my final year of veterinary school!!! I am so excited for this next chapter, and so excited I got to celebrate last night with my island family! These are the people who became friends and then have become family. #jessheadswest #roadtoaDVM #becomingDrWard (at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtGS-cqFDKTzkiraqcMkYAnCPI6l1Hrlcs3DmU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=80kreryeu0gm

Friday is the big day! My fellow colleagues and I will find out where we have been placed to complete our final clinical year of veterinary school! It’s a milestone we have waited for for over 2 years, and I can’t wait to see where I end up! Where do you think it will be?? #nextchapter #roadtoaDVM #futureDrWard (at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs_xW4JlHMA1AqS4b3Pvzzwx8eaVzJbLnEroeU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u3y7ag7x6lir

Another semester down, and boy was it a doozie. 6th was by far the toughest, most challenging semester yet. But I made it, and I only have 4 MORE MONTHS ON ISLAND. I definitely wouldn’t have made it this far without my amazing supportive family! But also, my island friends who have become family. No one could understand the stress, pressure, and insanity of vet school like someone else going through it. I am lucky to have found these amazing people that always support me and also help remind me to have some fun every now and then! I had to say goodbye to some friends this semester who are off to the next chapter tackling clinics, and our little island won’t be the same without them. But for now I will enjoy beyond home with my family celebrating Christmas, and reconnecting with friends that I don’t get to see very often. I am truly blessed. I could never have imagined my life would look like this, but God has truly blessed me. #roadtoadvm #becomingdrward #illbehomeforchristmas #backinbama (at Saint Kitts and Nevis) https://www.instagram.com/p/Brfnq_HlKHi6BuwE7wkypzejk6hNigYg3SWtYI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vhoc2gi91azn

6th Semester is coming to a close rapidly, maybe faster than we’d like. But this afternoon, we got to forget about our impending finals for a couple hours, and had a blast in Surgery Bone Lab. #vetpreppersforlife #startedtogether #wellfinishtogether #becomingDrWard #roadtoaDVM (at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq0T4ZGlCDkEUzZ2IseIGVnxv873RtJIZHVZ_A0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1iazeq2dws96m

Missing home a little more today. I could definitely use a drive on the back roads, listening to some good music, and just letting go of the day. #only38daysleft #countryroadstakemehome #sweethomealabama (at Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp5paGPFRvcRpVZBlP9kLRE-ngY9tNIohe7GRI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xopsz6cv8jf3

Dinner Views: St. Kitts Edition #friendsdinner #jessinthecaribbean (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Happy #NationalCatDay to this handsome fella of mine! He may drive me crazy sometimes but he puts a smile on my face every day. And what cat plays fetch? Mine! #Riggs (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Today I got to cross off a bucket list item. I got AI (artificial insemination) certified!!! I am so thankful for our Ross chapter of AABP, and Dr Dalton from Select Sires for this amazing weekend! Vet school is a lot more fun when you get to get dirty and work in the barn! #bucketlist #lovethecows #certifiedbaby (at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine)

It’s been a stressful week. I’m sleep deprived, my back is tweaked, and I’ve survived 3 exams. I still have another next week, and then 2 more before finals. It’s hitting that time in the semester where motivation is running low and exhaustion is running high. I want so badly to go home and sleep for a whole day, but I still have things to learn and accomplish today. There are still 5 weeks left in the semester. Still too many weeks and too much information left to still learn to live on the excitement of almost finishing another semester, but too few to take time off from the grind. It’s the time in the semester I really miss my family, friends, and my dog. And although it’s probably one of toughest times of any semester, taking a step back to appreciate the small things can change a mind set. As I sit on campus, post exam working on backlogged material for my next, I am thankful for this beautiful view, the breeze today that’s cutting the heat, and that while sometimes it’s harder than I can explain, this is my reality. Because I am fortunate that my reality is following my dream. So today, exhausted and on the search for my motivation, I am still thankful. #5moreweeks #needingthatbreak #needafloorcuddlewithSadieMae #thankgoodnessihaveRiggs (at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine)

Happy Father’s Day to the most amazing dad on the planet!! Sarah and I are so incredibly blessed that God gave us to you. There are no words to describe how lucky I feel to be your daughter. You have taught me so much. You taught me how to be strong, so that I could stand on my own. You taught me that no matter the odds, nothing will ever beat good ‘old fashioned hard work and determination. You taught me to be kind to everyone, because one act of kindness could change someone. You told me to have courage because no matter what you would always be there to help me up if I fell. And because you always have been there for me when I have fallen, I do have courage because I know I am never alone. You taught me what love really means, not by words but through your actions. No matter how big or crazy my dreams were you always supported me and pushed me to go for them. You never stifled my imagination for what my life could be. You only listened and held my hand so that I might accomplish it. To say I wouldn’t be where I am today without you sounds so cliche, but it’s true. You have given me the very best life. I am ever thankful for you, and thank you for everything you’ve done, even though there are not enough thank yous in the world. I wish I could be home today to give you a big hug, but I am sending all my love to you from my little rock. P.S. - You also taught me to never take myself or life to seriously and to remember it’s okay to be silly. Because age is just a number and it’s all about how you feel! This may prove to be the best piece of life advice! LOVE YOU DADDY! #hfd #lastoneoutofthecountry #loveyoutothemoonandback (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)

So we did a thing today! We got to anesthetize our first live patient, a sheep 🐑!!! I couldn’t have asked for a better group! We totally rocked it, you might say we were bahhh-to-the-bone today! #sheepanesthesia✔️ #5thsemestermilestone #futurevets #babyvets (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)

I had one of the best days to date of vet school today! I got to go over to Nevis, with my fellow members of Ross’ AABP club, to palpate the governments herd. It was such a great day! We had a great group, and I learned a lot today! Field work > studying inside any day!!! #🐄❤️🐮 #futurelargeanimalvets #futuredrward #cowsaretheBEST (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Had one of the best days to date in vet school today! Got to go over with my fellow members of RUSVM AABP club to palpate the governments herd on Nevis. We had a blast! It was such a great group, and I learned a lot today. Field work > studying inside any day! #❤️cows🐮 #futurelargeanimalvets #futuredrward (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)

I found out last night that our sweet, beloved Bear crosses the rainbow bridge. It’s hard to put into words how hard it is being so far away and not getting to be their in his finals moments, to stroke his head and tell him one last time what a good boy he was and how much we all loved him. He was a once in a lifetime dog. He was my dad’s best friend and constant shadow. No matter what project or work dad may have been doing Bear was always by his side. Sometimes maybe a little too close, like panting directly on dad’s face in the middle of summer while he worked on our cars lol. But I know dad wouldn’t have changed one thing about him. He was our big goofball, fetching limbs from the woods rather than a stick. He was a “jumping from the diving board” into the pool champion. He was a perfect companion even in times when you needed quiet reflection. He was by far our most enthusiastic greeter when you arrived home. And a while we are all going to miss him tremendously, I like to think that his little buddy Scooter greeted him with an excited tail wag and face licks when he crossed that rainbow bridge, and now that dynamic duo is back together. Bear was a fixture in our lives for 12.5 years. It’s hard to even remember a time before him. We were lucky he spent his life with us and that we had so much time with him. He enriched our lives in ways only a great dog can. We love you Bear and we will miss you always! 🐾 (at Saint Kitts and Nevis)