Empower Alexis to Be a Voice for Animals

Some of us have had the opportunity to live our dream. Some of us know what it's like to miss out on our dream. Some of us might look back and realize we never pursued our dream. I’m reaching out today with a humble request—to help Alexis realize her dream. She would never feel comfortable asking, so I’m doing so on her behalf. My name is Casey, her partner in life. All donations will go directly to Alexis to assist with her education costs.

About Alexis:

Alexis has been passionate about animals and veterinary medicine since she was 13 years old. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Health Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and her Master of Public Health from California State University, Northridge. Her dream is to "be the voice for the voiceless," and she is deeply committed to practicing quality medicine while guiding clients compassionately through the complexities of veterinary care.

As an RVT in California, Alexis began her career in a small-animal practice, then quickly advanced to a supervisory role at one of the busiest emergency animal hospitals in Los Angeles County. She handled everything from routine care to severe trauma cases, including gunshot wounds, stab wounds, and victims of animal abuse. Alongside this demanding work, Alexis served as a lecturer at her alma mater, teaching radiology to future veterinary technicians.

Her journey took an exciting turn when she joined the U.S. Department of State's Explosive Detection Canine program. This role allowed her to care for the dogs that save human lives—an experience that was especially meaningful given her partner’s stories of working alongside these heroic animals during his deployments as a U.S. Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. Alexis deployed to Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal, and twice to Iraq, where she was present for a significant indirect fire attack on the U.S. Embassy. She also deployed to Jordan, where she trained the Jordanian National Police in canine medical care.

Alexis’s commitment extends beyond borders. She organized donations of medical supplies for working dogs in Ukraine and built a network of international colleagues dedicated to supporting these canine heroes. Her experience in these challenging environments has only strengthened her resolve to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Why We Need Your Help:

After completing her Master of Public Health, she was accepted into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at St. Matthew's University in the Cayman Islands. Despite the demanding curriculum of an accelerated program and the challenge of balancing school and life responsibilities (family, raising Makenna, a needy partner, etc.), Alexis passed her first semester with the additional responsibilities of being elected as class representative. She even volunteered with renowned conservationist Guy Harvey to survey the stingray population in Grand Cayman, further demonstrating her commitment to the One Health philosophy.

We had planned to finance her education through a student loan from a provider specializing in students studying abroad. Unfortunately, this option fell through at the last minute, leaving us in a difficult position. With tuition for the second semester due on September 1, 2024, we are exploring every avenue to ensure Alexis can continue her studies without interruption. She'll continue to have tuition costs for each following semester, so donations after that date will continue to contribute toward those costs.

Your Impact:

Your donations will go directly toward covering Alexis’s tuition for her second semester and beyond. By contributing, you’ll be helping her achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian, a goal she has worked tirelessly toward. She has been an incredible mother to my daughter, Makenna, in countless ways—teaching her to have the courage to pursue our own passions. Alexis has taught her the confidence to join the wrestling team, earn her Open Water Scuba license, and she just made the field hockey team. Her selflessness, empathy, and determination are why I’m putting my pride aside to ensure she can experience the fulfillment of her dream. I know she'll use it to do good things.

We are incredibly grateful for any support you can provide, and I will ensure that everyone who contributes is kept updated on her progress. Together, we can help Alexis become the voice for the voiceless and make a lasting impact on the lives of countless animals and their owners. If you are unable to donate, please share this with your own network. Either way, I hope everybody is encouraged by her pursuit, and apply that to your own.