What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?

Every now and then, I find myself wondering what life might have looked like if I had chosen a different path. I’ve worn many hats over the years — professional, homesteader, beekeeper, gardener — and each role has shaped how I see the world. But if I could have pursued another calling, I think I would have become a farm veterinarian.

A Lifelong Connection with Animals

Animals have always been at the heart of my story. From the loyal dogs that greeted me at the door to the chickens that now fill our mornings with their chatter, they’ve all taught me something valuable. Over the years, I’ve learned that every animal has its own rhythm and way of communicating, if only we slow down enough to notice it.

When we started keeping chickens, I learned the subtle signs of contentment — the soft trills of a hen dust-bathing, or the quiet coos that mean everyone’s settled in for the night. The ducks, on the other hand, taught me patience (and humor). They waddle through life on their own terms, reminding me that joy often comes from the simple act of splashing in a clean pool of water.

And then there are the honeybees — perhaps the most fascinating of all. Watching them work in harmony has given me a deep respect for the balance of nature and how every small action contributes to a thriving ecosystem.

The Pull Toward Veterinary Medicine

If I’d had the chance to go back and choose again, I think veterinary medicine — especially as a large animal or farm vet — would have been my path. There’s something deeply meaningful about being the one who tends to the creatures that sustain families and communities. I can imagine the early mornings driving down country roads to check on a cow ready to calve or treating a goat who’s suddenly off her feed.

It wouldn’t have been an easy life. The long hours, unpredictable emergencies, and emotional weight of caring for animals that don’t always make it — that’s tough work. But I’ve come to see that purpose often grows out of challenge. It’s in the hard days that we realize just how much we’re capable of giving.

Lessons Learned from Living Alongside Animals

Through my years on the homestead, I’ve realized that being a caretaker — whether as a homesteader or a veterinarian — is really about observation, compassion, and humility. Animals have a way of grounding us, reminding us that life isn’t about control, but cooperation.

They’ve taught me:

Patience: Healing and growth take time. Adaptability: No two seasons — or animals — are ever the same. Respect for life: Every creature, no matter how small, plays a role in the larger story of the farm.

Full Circle

While I may not have become a farm vet by trade, I like to think I’ve stepped into that role in my own small way here at J & J Homestead. From treating a minor injury in a chicken to researching natural remedies for the flock, the work still holds that same spirit of care and curiosity.

Maybe the truth is that I didn’t miss my calling after all — I just answered it differently.