From Zookeeper Dreams to Vet Med: Dr. Katie Mchenry on finding her path in this episode of Bark Is a Four Letter Word, I interview Dr. Katie Mchenry, a veterinarian practicing mixed animal medicine in northern Connecticut, primarily small animal with occasional equine and some exotics. Katie shares that she didn’t always want to be a vet—she aimed to be a zookeeper focused on primates, studied animal behavior at Towson University, and did zoo and primate enrichment experiences before deciding around age 21 to pursue veterinary medicine after candid encouragement from mentors. We discuss how veterinary work often centers on guiding and helping people through difficult decisions like euthanasia and financial constraints while advocating for the animal. Katie reflects on her equine background from childhood riding, her shift toward small animal practice due to career realities and moving for her Navy spouse, and her long-term goal of becoming a practice partner/co-owner with a mixed-practice focus as they prepare to relocate to Florida.