What she wanted to be when she grew up
“When I was in first grade, we were asked to draw ourselves as adults. I drew myself winning a marathon at 100 years old. At 26, I’m lucky if I can run down the hall—usually toward food. But who knows, maybe I’ll run a total of 26.2 miles by the time I’m 100.”

How she ended up here
Rachelle completed her studies in the UK, where she received a bachelor of arts degree in english literature and a master of science degree in computational and data journalism, while taking writing and editing gigs on the side. After moving back to Seattle, she received a certificate in technical writing before heading the marketing department for a veterinary software company, then switching to full-time freelance work.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“This is a little embarrassing to admit, especially in this crowd, but before 2019, I only liked animals from a distance. Then, my family got a dog and my whole life changed. Thankfully, Yozhka came into my life about six months before I started working in the veterinary industry. My ever-growing love for pets makes it that much easier to appreciate this industry and the people that keep it running. I am in awe of the commitment and emotional sacrifices veterinary professionals make on a daily basis. I’m so happy I’m able to support this industry, even if it is only through my words.”

Why she loves writing
“For the longest time, I thought I didn’t like writing. I wanted to be an editor because I loved the challenge of turning words into effective content. But as time went on, I realized the same can be said about writing. I love crafting a voice that conveys information, tells a story, and stirs emotions through words that resonate with an audience.  Doing that successfully is the best feeling in the world.”

Who her furry family members are

  • Yozhka (the alarmingly intelligent miniature/toy poodle who is named “hedgehog” in Russian, because that’s exactly what she looked like as a puppy)

What might surprise you about her
“Russian was my first language.”