Hi there! My name is Rachelle Ludwick and I’m a recent graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. I’ve known I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 8 years old. I grew up on Long Island, NY where I had a menagerie of pets. My favorite time of year was when we got to visit my family in California every summer when I could hit the trails on their Tennessee Walkers and Paso Finos.
I completed my undergraduate studies at Harvard University in Massachusetts where I studied Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Cognitive Psychology. In order to better understand the scope of veterinary medicine, I explored a variety of opportunities with animals. I spent a summer in Greece performing conservation research on chameleons. As if that that wasn’t enough time abroad, I then spent a semester studying in Seville, Spain where I landed a position working with a small animal veterinarian entirely in Spanish! One summer, I worked as a technician in a small animal hospital. My favorite experience was my summer spent riding along with an equine veterinarian. What attracts me most about equine medicine is that every day is a different adventure. I love working with horses and relish the opportunity to work outside!
Hi my name is Jane Snead and I am a recent graduate from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed my clinical year of veterinary training at Auburn University. I grew up in Hodges, SC on a commercial beef cattle farm with a coastal hay production. Growing up on the farm not only instilled my love for animals but also for agriculture. My childhood consisted of riding horses, working cows and climbing trees.
I attended Clemson University where at first I majored in Agriculture Business but then after working with an International Pet Food company for several summers I decided veterinary medicine was my true passion. I quickly changed my major to pre-veterinary medicine and began working as a technician in a small animal hospital during my final years of college. In order to gain more hands on experience I attended an International Spay and Neuter Trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Being able to provide free animal care and education to under resourced communities solidified my dream and determination to become a veterinarian.
After Clemson, I headed to the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Kitts for veterinary school at Ross University. My veterinary school experience was very different than schools in the United States. St. Kitts provided a lot of everyday challenges that are not typically experienced by US vet students such as: mass power outages, venomous centipedes, and coca- cola shortages. Island life was what you made of it, and I absolutely loved it.
For my final year of veterinary school Ross students are sent back to the United States veterinary schools for clinical training. I was able to choose and attend Auburn University in Alabama. Auburn’s food animal and equine departments provided me with a hands-on education and encouraging mentors daily. I originally wasn’t planning for an equine internship but after my equine rotation at Auburn I realized I wanted to be able to provide proper care for horses. One day I hope to provide care for both horses and cows.
I am extremely lucky that Woodside Equine has provided me with this amazing position. I am thrilled to begin this new journey as a Woodside intern! I know that Rachelle and I have some pretty big shoes to fill but I am confident that we will do our best and tackle each day with a smile!