What she wanted to be when she grew up
“What didn’t I want to be? Journalist, veterinarian, background singer for Eric Clapton…”

How she ended up here
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Colorado. She has been a veterinary writer and editor since 2011, when she was hired as a copywriter for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Sarah started Rumpus Writing and Editing in 2016.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“Veterinary medicine is a profession full of people working toward the same goal: improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them. And, there are so many ways to contribute toward that goal, whether you decide to work in practice or you decide to support the profession in another capacity. The possibilities are endless.”

Why she loves writing
“Words are truly powerful, and I love that we can make a difference for pets, pet owners, and veterinary professionals through words. I also love interviewing people for editorial articles. I grow so much from hearing their stories and perspectives.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“I lost more than 110 pounds in 2003 and have successfully kept it off.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“From doctoring our family cat’s wounds from a wild animal attack, to making oatmeal daily to feed my childhood hamster with missing teeth, I’ve always loved animals and knew I wanted to be a veterinarian.”

How she ended up here
While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biology, Angela started calling veterinary hospitals in the phone book until she found one to hire her for the summer so she could decide if she really wanted to be a veterinarian. She worked there for two summers before starting veterinary school, and earned her DVM from Ohio State University in 2003. After working as an associate for two years, Angela joined Bradford School as the veterinary technician program director, building the program from the ground up. In 2018, Angela was the second freelance writer to join Rumpus Writing and Editing.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“I love the medical aspect of veterinary medicine. I love understanding the body’s anatomy and physiology, and how pharmacology has been developed to manipulate it to treat disease.”

Why she loves writing
“I love trying to find the perfect words to describe something or convey an image.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“I love cheesy horror movies, especially if they are about sharks or other animals, like giant snakes, gators, or piranhas.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“A pilot, but women could not be pilots back then. Then, I tried to be a flight attendant—I wanted to travel—but I was too short. It’s neat that my older son is a pilot.”

How she ended up here
When Paulette was first married and was attending journalism school, she worked as a secretary at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia, where her husband was a veterinary student. She eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida. For the next 20-plus years, Paulette worked as an editor for a small daily paper, a large daily paper, and a financial paper. She also reported business news for the local NPR radio station and did freelance work for various veterinary schools. In 2014, Paulette was offered an editing position with Brief Media and Veterinary Team Brief, and she joined Rumpus Writing and Editing in 2019.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“Most veterinary professionals are in the field because they want to improve the lives of animals, and not for the money.”

Why she loves editing
“I love being able to take someone’s good work and—hopefully—make it clearer and better.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“My husband and I vacationed in Lesotho a couple of years ago. They seldom get tourists, and I have never met another person who has been there.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“I’ve always wanted to work with animals in some form, whether it was as a rancher, farmer, veterinarian, or animal shelter caretaker.”

How she ended up here
While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Purdue University with the goal of eventually working in a publishing house, Melissa got a job working as an assistant at an emergency veterinary hospital on campus and never looked back. She earned her bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology from Purdue and became a registered veterinary technologist. She works for a rural, one-doctor practice in Indiana, where she writes all client education materials. Melissa was the first freelance writer to join Rumpus Writing and Editing in 2018.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“I love the science behind the medicine and figuring out how to help animals live healthy, happy lives. There’s so much we can do for pain, nutrition, and mental enrichment.”

Why she loves writing
“Client education is one of my favorite aspects of my job. Many pet owners are confused about conflicting information on Google or Facebook, and I enjoy educating them to help keep their pets healthy.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“I have crooked pinkies.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“I grew up on a farm in central Mississippi. We had an array of animals, and I always knew that taking care of them was my job. I never considered any other profession than veterinary medicine.”

How she ended up here
Jenny completed undergraduate and veterinary school at Mississippi State University, and then went on to an equine medicine and surgery internship at Louisiana State University. She next landed in Northern Virginia, where she practiced as an equine ambulatory veterinarian for 16 years. After deciding to leave practice in search of more creative pursuits, Jenny joined Rumpus as a full-time writer in April 2021.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“There are so many interesting aspects to veterinary medicine! It merges science with ministering to all kinds of special creatures. The many differences between various unique species are truly fascinating, and I find the ability to help these animals live a healthy and happy life fulfilling.”

Why she loves writing
“Words are extremely versatile. They can evoke everything from laughter to tears. They can convey information, love, hate, and compassion. To be able to craft words in the right way to deliver the intended message is very powerful.”

Who her fuzzy family members are

What might surprise you about her
She has a little obsession with Italy and has been trying to learn Italian—albeit not very successfully—during the past year.

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“Growing up, my two greatest passions were animals and writing stories. On any given day, I could have told you I would be a writer or a veterinarian/dog trainer. I am proud that I have stayed close to those youthful dreams, and found a way to combine them.”

How she ended up here
Jaime earned a bachelor of arts degree in theatre and English from Saint Louis University in 2008, but her love of dogs drew her to a local veterinary technology program. She earned an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology, and became a registered veterinary technician in 2012. She has worked in a range of hospitals, from a one-doctor practice to a large specialty and referral hospital, where she was a surgery technician. Jaime became a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee in 2017, and a professional certified training partner through the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP) for animal training and behavior in 2018.

Jaime began exploring copywriting as a potential side business in 2020, and left the grind of tech life to find a fresh way to use her talents and education. Shejoined Rumpus as a full-time writer in 2021, and hasn’t looked back.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“I love to know the ‘reasons why,’ and I adore the academic challenge of medicine. I am a perpetual student and am always in pursuit of learning—especially if it involves animals! Providing highly skilled nursing care to patients and witnessing the beautiful bond between pets and their owners is emotionally rewarding.”

Why she loves writing
“I experience the world through words. Sometimes I am not sure how I feel about something until I write about it. I am quiet by nature. I am an observer. I don’t immediately have a ‘take’ on every situation. Writing allows me to process and develop my perspective—like an old photograph—through exploring a topic or scenario. The versatility of the written word allows me to simultaneously be a student, teacher, and artist.”

Who her fuzzy family members are

What might surprise you about her
“While writing a play in college about an animal rights activist, I decided to avoid eating meat until I finished the script. I completed the play, and while I am by no means as radical as my main character, the dietary choice stuck! I have been a vegetarian since 2006.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“I was obsessed with animals and wanted to be a veterinarian, marine biologist, or animal trainer.”

How she ended up here
Elizabeth made it halfway through a kinesiology degree before deciding that animals and the environment were her true passion. She switched gears, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2008, and decided to test the waters in veterinary medicine. After only a few months working as a veterinary assistant, she applied to veterinary technician school and graduated from Purdue University’s program as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2010. Elizabeth always enjoyed reading and journaling, and writing came easily to her. Looking for a way to beat burnout and take her veterinary career in a new direction, she jumped at the opportunity to join Rumpus in 2021.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“I love helping to put together the puzzle pieces and diagnose an animal’s problem, and I am a self-professed science nerd—I truly enjoy learning how bodies work, why things go wrong, and how we can innovate to fix them.”

Why she loves writing
“I’m a very fact and science-oriented person, but writing taps into my creative side and lets me use my brain differently—I’ve always been able to craft a thought on paper in a way I could never convey otherwise. Reading is how I learn and absorb, and writing is the other side of that.” 

Who her furry family members are17

What might surprise you about her
“I have an unhealthy desire for Taco Bell all the time. It’s a problem.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“For a while, I wanted to be a marine biologist, thanks to the movie “Free Willy.” Since I lived in Colorado, my mom brought the ocean to me by “adopting” a humpback whale, Patches, through the World Wildlife Fund. I felt pretty cool telling my friends I had a pet whale. I could never have given up my precious mountains for marine biology, but whales remain one of my favorite animals, and I still smile when I hear Michael Jackson’s song, “Will You Be There?” and picture that epic moment when Willy jumps to freedom.”

How she ended up here
After earning her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Colorado, Kate worked as a content writer at a K-8 school, which sparked her interest in teaching. She earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Colorado and taught elementary school for seven years. While teaching, Kate continued to write on a freelance basis and volunteered at a local animal rescue, using her writing skills to help adoptable pets find their forever homes. In 2021, Kate left teaching to pursue writing, and joined Rumpus as an intern. She fit in right away, and quickly became a more permanent part of the writing team.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“As an animal-lover, it’s easy to be there for pets during the fun times, but it takes a special person to step up and take charge when it’s messy and challenging. Veterinary professionals dedicate an enormous part of themselves to the demanding, sometimes heartbreaking—yet undeniably rewarding—work of caring for animals and their people. I’m constantly inspired by those around me, and I feel fortunate to play a small role in supporting this shared mission.”

Why she loves writing
“Writing allows me to craft, analyze and finesse my words until they convey a sentiment or idea in just the right way. I can make a positive impact on the world using a medium that feels natural and fulfilling.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“I won my first writing award at 7 years old for a story about a lonely, elderly widow navigating the challenging yet rewarding relationship with her frightened rescue dog. To say I was an “old soul” is an understatement. Today, I write for the animal health industry and volunteer at a rescue helping shelter animals—like the dog in my story—find their forever home.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“This varied over the years, but there is one career that sticks out in my memory. As a third grader, I wanted to be a professional horse jockey.”

How she ended up here
Jane began working as a veterinary assistant in 2006, and worked as an assistant in some capacity while studying for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She earned her DVM from St. George’s University in 2017 and has worked as a small-animal veterinarian since. Jane joined Rumpus Writing and Editing in 2019.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“I love having a problem to solve, and I love educating clients.”

Why she loves writing
“I love the creative outlet that writing gives me and that I can do it anywhere and at any time. I also love that I’m constantly learning something new.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“I used to be a ballet dancer and still try to keep up on my technique.”

What she wanted to be when she grew up
For the longest time, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. My father was a doctor—a neurologist—and I liked the fact that he was helping people. I wasn’t really interested in becoming a doctor, but nursing appealed to me. And my interest grew when I stumbled across the Cherry Ames mystery series of books. She was a nurse and all of the stories took place in a hospital setting. It just seemed really cool to me. My father finally took me with him to the hospital one day and let me sit at the nurses’ station to see what nursing was like in real life, and that pretty much disabused me of all of my romantic notions.

How she ended up here
Karen earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked for newspapers in North Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana. After 20 years in the industry, she went back to school and earned a master’s degree in mass communication and a Ph.D. in media and public affairs from Louisiana State University. When she finished at LSU, she went to work as a public policy researcher for a nonpartisan, good government advocacy group in Baton Rouge and then became the Senior Communications Manager for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office in 2016. She joined Rumpus Writing and Editing as a part-time editor in 2021.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
I have great admiration for veterinary professionals and the heart and soul they pour into helping people keep their pets healthy and happy.

Why she loves editing
I like the precision that good editing requires; I like the variety of knowledge that good editing requires; and I like the ability to take any piece of writing and help make it better.

Who her furry family members are
I don’t have any furry family members of my own at the moment, but I am an “aunt” to several dogs, including Patsy Cline (in the picture), a rescue pup who belongs to good friends of mine.

What might surprise you about her
I played the violin through high school before finally accepting the fact that I just wasn’t that good. But I still love to listen to the masters play classical violin pieces.

What she wanted to be when she grew up
Every few months I wanted to be something different—nurse, teacher, fashion model, ad agency exec! I became enamored of editing while working as an administrative assistant for a journal editor.

How she ended up here
Her first job out of college was in Washington, DC, working for the professional journal for physical therapists. Through many decades, Michelle has copy edited a variety of topics—traffic engineering, hospital administration, economics, and most recently veterinary medicine. She joined the team at Rumpus Writing and Editing in 2022.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
I have always loved animals. Their welfare—physical and cerebral—has always been close to my heart. If I won the lottery, I would open a sanctuary to care for abandoned pets. To work as a veterinary medicine editor is a gratifying way to contribute meaningful information to people on how to respect and care for their animal friends.

Why she loves editing
I enjoy teaming up with authors to help them make their writing clearer and crisper.

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
My idea of a good time is a rousing game of Scrabble.

What she wanted to be when she grew up
“A veterinarian?”

How she ended up here
A lifelong animal lover, Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in biology. She was hired as a client service representative at a veterinary hospital in 2012, and has worked as a client service manager for a large emergency/specialty referral hospital. She now works for a practice in Denver, and she joined Rumpus Writing and Editing in 2019 when her sister, the owner of the company, asked her to take on some of the administrative duties in her spare time.

Why she loves veterinary medicine
“I love that we are helping to educate pet owners about pet health. I also enjoy meeting all the different pets and their owners, and developing relationships with them. ”

Why she loves writing
“I don’t love anything about writing. I’m not good at it. That’s why I was hired as the administrative assistant, not a writer.”

Who her furry family members are

What might surprise you about her
“I completed my college internship at the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, Illinois.”

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

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