March is National Women’s History Month, and Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) is celebrating by focusing on several of their female student and alumna success stories. This week, we feature 2019 Veterinary Science and Jenkintown High School graduate, Cassie Lynch.
Cassie admits that it is sometimes easy to take for granted that she is a woman who has continued her education and is working in a STEM field. “Women's History Month does a good job of reminding me about all the hard work I went through to help these animals,” said Cassie. “It is a good time for all women to reflect upon and appreciate their accomplishments.”
Cassie always had an interest in animals and veterinary medicine. “I started off like every other little girl wanting to be a veterinarian or work in the medical field. Being a Type One Diabetic meant I spent a lot of time in doctor's offices and hospitals and around medical staff, so medicine was always in my future. When I was in the Veterinary Science program at EASTERN and during my internship, I had the opportunity to work in a veterinary clinic where I got hands-on experience. I learned that being a veterinary technician was the road for me.”
After graduating from EASTERN, Cassie went to Wilson College. She soon realized that was not the location for her and transferred to Manor College in Jenkintown in Fall of 2020 for their Veterinary Technology program. “Manor College has such an amazing program, and I learned such an incredible amount from them,” said Cassie. “Manor, Veterinary Technology students are required to complete externships where we go out to two different veterinary clinics for six weeks to get more hands-on experience. I completed my externships at Rhinebeck Equine in NY, which is a specialty and emergency equine center, and BluePearl Specialty and Emergency for small animals in Michigan.” After graduation, she moved to Michigan to be closer to family and she is currently working at a small animal general practice.
Cassie finds inspiration through her work with animals, but her mother inspires her the most in life. “She has always been in my corner and has always been there on my bad days and good days,” said Cassie. “We are a good team together and in moments when I felt like I was in the wrong field of work, she would always remind me what I was good at and how much work I have gone through to get where I am today. I would not be the person I am or in the position I am in today without her.”
Cassie’s career goal is to work in veterinary medicine, but ultimately, she would like to work with equines or large animals. “Being in Michigan, it would be amazing to get a job at Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center, but who knows where life will take me,” said Cassie.
