Maria Dickerson

I was raised in rural Jefferson County, Ohio, surrounded by dairy, beef, swine, and horse farms. Because many local farmers are family friends, I have had opportunities to visit their farms and learn more about the food animal industry. They’ve shared with me the dire need for veterinarians to make farm calls in our area, something I have also experienced as a horse owner. Nothing would be more rewarding than being able to fill this void. With this goal in mind, I have made a conscience effort to gain experiences that focus on livestock.
I have spent over 300 total hours shadowing Dr. Harold Kemp and Dr. Alley Corey of Large Animal Vet Service in Bethesda, Ohio over summers, as well as spring and winter break periods. Without hesitation, I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity to glove up and assist with procedures. Some of the highlights have been pulling a stillborn calf on my first day, operating on a twisted stomach, and learning how to perform pregnancy checks using ultrasound. It has been a phenomenal experience and I look forward to running calls as often as I can!
To further enhance my knowledge of the food animal industry, I have declared a minor in meat sciences. I have worked four semesters in the Meat Laboratory at Ohio State as a student lab assistant, where I have assisted with the harvest, fabrication, and processing of livestock animals for retail and research purposes. This job has challenged me to put my feelings aside and focus on the business side of livestock production. In doing so, I have a better understanding of anatomy, animal health, USDA regulations, and what it takes to produce an ideal final product.
This past summer, I interned with Ohio Land and Cattle Company, a local large-scale beef operation. This internship has given me the opportunity to experience animal agriculture close to home. As an assistant herd manager, daily tasks include tagging new calves, monitoring herd health, and maintaining grazing and calving pastures. I have also assisted with treating and managing minor medical issues such as abscesses, administering antibiotics, pulling calves, and performing castrations. This experience has not only taught me how to manage and work with cattle, but has also shown me how cattle are viewed and valued by a producer.These experiences have only furthered my passion for animal agriculture, and my interest in livestock production, management, and medicine. This scholarship would help immensely to relieve some of the financial burden I’m incurring. If selected, the confidence you would have in my ability to reach my goals would mean more than words could say. I would be one step closer to becoming a veterinarian and being able to give back to the community that helped raise me. This would be an incredible opportunity and I thank you for your consideration!