I'm Kylie Jarvis, I am a junior at Brattleboro Union High School. I graduate in 2026, and I am doing early college at CCV Brattleboro for my senior year. My hobbies are volunteering at the local humane society, playing field hockey, spending time with my dogs, and traveling. I have always seen the vet path for me, though I just recently decided what direction I want to focus on, that being an emergency vet.
Why Flex?
I decided to do flex because, it gives me an opportunity to frame the work I do, in a way I will learn the best, allows me to be flexible and change my schedules around, as well as going out onto the field, shadowing and working with vets and vet tech's. This has already expanded my knowledge of the veterinary field more than any classroom could.
I’ve wanted to become a veterinarian since fifth grade because I’ve always had a deep love for animals and a strong desire to help those who can’t help themselves. From a young age, I realized how important it is to care for animals, especially when they are sick or injured. That’s why I want to specialize as an emergency vet, so I can provide immediate, life-saving help to animals at their lowest. Working as an emergency veterinarian means being prepared to act quickly and stay calm under pressure, making split-second decisions that can save lives. I’m drawn to this fast paced, high impact environment because it combines my passion for animals with my drive to make a real difference when it matters most. Becoming an emergency vet will allow me to care for animals during their most vulnerable moments, and that purpose motivates me every day.
Another big reason I believe pushed me to wanting to fight through sciences to become a vet is my dog who had passed away in febuary of last year. She had been diagnosed with cancer two years prior, and was my best friend. By the time we had found the cancer it has already spread throughout her entire body. It felt like everything happened so fast, and I remember feeling completely helpless, wishing there was more I could do for her. That experience will always stick with me. It made me realize how important it is to catch illnesses earlier and to be someone who can give both animals and their families hope, even in the hardest situations. Losing her was heartbreaking, but it also lit a fire in me. I want to become the kind of vet who not only understands the science but also truly understands the unexplainable bond between humans and animals, because I’ve lived it.
FLEX Process & Structure:
My director Kathy and I started our flex study work back in October, though we started framing it all in September. October was more of a time, where we spent emailing local vets and humane society for the future shadowing I am now doing today.
Last May: We began meeting to discuss my goals for the class and to determine the direction I wanted to take with the project. These early conversations helped lay the foundation for what would become my flex study focus and what i wanted to gain from this class.
September: We started framing the structure of the project, brainstorming ideas and organizing how to approach the veterinary field. This included planning and determining how to make the experience both meaningful and aligned with my interests.
October: This month was dedicated to taking action on our planning. Ms. Thielen and I spent much of our time emailing local veterinarians and humane societies to arrange future shadowing opportunities. These initial efforts led to the shadowing work I am now doing.
Through Fall: We continued to build the the expectations of the class, following up with vets whom responded, confirming placements, and refining the goals of my flex study. This stage was about turning ideas into action and preparing for hands-on learning.
Ms. Thielen and I had already been framing the FLEX study before the previous school year ended. We started discussing ideas and direction in the spring, and then picked the work back up again during the first month of the fall semester, before the class officially began. In October, we began actively organizing the structure of the class. We talked through my academic classes, sports, and outside commitments, and figured out how to fit in hours at both the Humane Society and veterinary clinics. It took multiple weeks of going back and forth, emails and meetings, organizing placements and checking availability, but eventually, we built a schedule that supported my goals, gave me real-world experience I never thought I'd have, and still left space for reflection and growth. That early planning was a huge part of what made the rest of the experience run smoothly.
Flex Study Weekly Schedule:
Mondays: Meeting with flex study advisor, Ms. Thielen
Tuesdays: Humane Society
Wednesdays: Humane Society
Thursdays: Flex work session/Dr. Laurie as available
Fridays: Meeting with flex study advisor, Ms. Thielen/Work day
Roughly the average hours for each:
Brattleboro Vet Clinic: 72 Hours
Windham Humane Society (Shadowing): 144 Hours
Windham Humane Society (Community Service): 33 Hours
Post High School Relevance: Academic, Personal, Professional future
I've wanted to be a vet since I was in 5th grade. I love being around animals, and doing everything I can to save those who are less fortunate. This class will connect all of that together, showing me what is is really like in the field, and how the research works. After high school Im hoping to pursue my top in state school, the University of Vermont or my top out-of-state school Colorado State University. I wish to do 4 years undergrad then go to vet school where I will get a degree (DVM) to become an emergency vet.
As a backup career, I have decided, if I can not pursue my dream I will follow in my sisters footsteps of becoming a lawyer or potentially pursue criminology.