May 2022 ABI Alum Spotlight: Kylee Wong

As an Animal Biology alumna, I can look back on my experience with major satisfaction. Although I constantly went back and forth on whether or not I should change my major, I’m very happy that I chose to stay with the Animal Biology curriculum. Since graduating from UC Davis, I moved back home to the Bay Area and currently work full time as a Veterinary Assistant. I work with many animals and have learned how to practice Fear Free handling techniques. COVID-19 made it difficult to gain animal experience during my last two years of undergrad, so now I am focusing on getting as much clinical experience as possible before applying to veterinary schools. During the peak of COVID-19, it was also a challenge to finish my senior practicum project. However, it was not impossible. My mentor and I were able to find statistically significant preliminary findings for my senior practicum, which researched the use of treats during low-stress handling practices and how it influences behavioral stress signals in dogs. I later presented the preliminary findings of my research at the 30th ISAZ conference, and have recently been invited to present my final findings at the upcoming ISAE conference at UC Davis. 

The research aspect of this major is what makes Animal Biology so unique. You can improve animal welfare, find out what you’re passionate about, and, most importantly, you make connections. Here I am as an alumna seeing how far my senior practicum will take me, and I’m thankful to have a wonderful mentor to guide me through this process post-undergrad. I know how stressful this major can be, so remember to approach all requirements of this major one step at a time! You gain what you put into this major, and if you give it your all, trust me, it is so worth it in the end.