**Trigger warning**: This episode may contain subject matter that some listeners might find distrurbing. There is brief discussion of animal abuse, child abuse, and sexual violence while on the topic of veterniary forensics. Listener disgression is advised. This week, Tabitha talks to Dr. Michelle Gonzalez about her career path which led her to opening Rascal Charities, a non-profit created to help animals in need throughout the state of Ohio and her interest in veterinary forensics. We talk about how shelters and veterinary professionals can work together to benefit animals and the community as well as dig into the interesting world of veterinary forensics and how it can greatly benefit the lives of animals and humans. Dr. Michelle GonzalezDr. Gonzalez was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico and was raised in Rio Piedras (suburb of San Juan). She was involved in television from a young age but her passion had always been to become a veterinarian. After a year of undergraduate studies in Puerto Rico, she finished her B.S. in Zoology at Michigan State University. Michelle obtained my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at The Ohio State University in 1999 and then completed a 1-yr Internship in Medicine, Surgery, Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She worked in private practice for 6 years before starting her own practice, a mobile clinic offering sterilization and wellness services to rural areas in Ohio. The mobile clinic rapidly grew into accessible and affordable care for individuals in need of help for their pets, as well as the ability to offer services and procedures beyond routine care. Michelle is very involved in many aspects of companion veterinary medicine including education, shelter assistance and help to animals that are victim of cruelty and neglect. She have a passion for what she does and is always looking for ways to do more for the animals and the community. Michelle completed a master’s degree in Veterinary Forensics from the University of Florida in 2017 and a master’s in Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in January of 2022. She is currently enrolled at the University of Florida Forensic Science program. Her goal is to provide forensic services for crimes to and involving animals and assist with education in cruelty and neglect.Rascal Charities is a 501c3 organization that provides financial assistance to individuals in the State of Ohio for medical and surgical services provided by the Rascal Unit. Information on the organization and links for tax deductible donations can be found on our website at www.rascalcharities.orgSupport the show :TwitterFacebookInstagramEmail