‘Things that I did not learn in the classroom’

Dana Mangi’s personal statement from her veterinary school application expressed her love for animals.Mangi, who grew up in Arlington Height, was killed just as her dream of becoming a veterinarian was coming true. Officials from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine will posthumously award Mangi her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree on Saturday.

#147;Over the years, my employers taught me things that I did not learn in the classroom#133; I learned that veterinary medicine involves learning to both laugh and cry with people, to be human and sometimes unwillingly accept defeat, and to return an animal#146;s unconditional love. I learned that vets don#146;t just want to save lives and relieve pain. The true challenge is restoring each owner#146;s hopes and assuring them that they have made the right decision. Animals are truly amazing. They would risk their lives just to make us happy. They love us unconditionally expecting nothing in return. They deserve to be loved and cared for. And when I realize my dreams of being a veterinarian and have the ability to contribute something to these animals#146; lives, I will be lucky.#148;

#8212; Dana Mangi