FVC Time Capsule: Co-Presidents

Hey future vets! Emily here.
If you haven’t yet gotten acquainted with our new and improved website, take a moment to look around! This transition has been such a labour of love for us and we are excited to keep offering the best of the best.
With that said, we are officially in the Winter semester and things are changing. Whether you’re moving up a year or even graduating like I am, we want you to know that the Future Vets Club will be here to support you. I decided I wanted to do something a little extra special to commemorate the club along with the new website - a brand new series that lets us appreciate our past while looking forward to the future. I present to you… The FVC Time Capsule!
My hope is that in a series of articles, I can introduce you to the people who make FVC what it is. Going role-by-role, each of the executives will answer time capsule-style questions that can be looked back on in future years. What executive role would be more appropriate to begin with than the Co-Presidents?
Emily Cheung and Sara Terier are our devoted leaders, and they work their absolute hardest to keep the FVC running and continuing to put on wonderful events. I hope that from reading their time capsule questions, you come to love them just as much as we do. Without further ado, read on!

Introduce yourself! How long have you been co-presidents?
Emily: Hi, my name is Emily Cheung, and I’m in my second year of Animal Biology! My favourite thing ever has always been the sky; sunrises, sunsets, stargazing, or watching the clouds drift by. I also love winter and everything that comes with it! Snowboarding, figure skating (I teach skating, too!), Christmas, and watching my dog play in the snow. It’s been almost a year since I became co-president, and it’s been one of the best parts of my university experience. I hope to continue as co-president for one more year, so I can keep working on everything I’ve dreamed of for this club.
Sara: Hi! My name is Sara Terier, and I’m a second year Arts and Science student specializing in Biology and Psychology! I am absolutely obsessed with cats, music, Frozen 2 (yes, i will never shut up about it), food, research, and all things artsy! I’ve been co-president of FVC for almost a year now (crazy how time flies!) and it’s been such an amazing experience! Unfortunately, I am stepping down from my role this year, but I am so excited for what the future has in store!

Emily Cheung, FVC Co-President.

Sara Terier, FVC Co-President.

​Why did you want to join the FVC executive team?
Emily: I first joined FVC during my orientation week because I met a group of people who eventually became my closest friends and my biggest support system. It was those friendships, and the sense of belonging I felt, that inspired me to join the exec team. I wanted to help others find the same kind of connection, especially in a field as competitive and intense as veterinary medicine. No one should have to navigate this journey alone, and being part of FVC gave me the chance to build a community that supports each other through every step.
Sara: I’d been following FVC on Instagram since high school, and I thought it was such a great way to get a sneak peak into what undergrad pre-vet life might look like! Honestly, seeing such a huge pre-vet community was a big part of what swayed me to choose UofG. I was planning to take my first year slow, so funny enough, I wasn’t actively seeking opportunities– until one evening, I was randomly scrolling on Instagram and saw that FVC exec applications were due that night! I thought that it seemed like a perfect chance to meet new people and bring my unique skills and diverse background to the team. My application was definitely last-minute and totally impulsive, but that’s the beauty of getting distracted and scrolling away! I used to feel bad about not always being the most focused or productive, but honestly, it’s led me here, and sometimes life just works out in unexpected ways.


What is your vision for the Future Vets Club?
Emily: My vision for FVC is to create a close-knit, non-competitive environment where pre-vet students can thrive. I want FVC to be a place where students can support and empower one another while also fostering a balanced, healthy lifestyle. I dream of FVC reaching an international audience, connecting pre-vet students from all over the world with resources, mentorship, and each other. Our field has so much room for growth when it comes to inclusivity and mental health, and I believe this club can be a catalyst for those changes. I’m confident that FVC will only continue to grow because of the passion and dedication of every executive, past, present, and future.
Sara: The answer to this question is so much! FVC has so much potential, and sometimes it feels like there’s so much we want to do, it’s hard to break it down into manageable pieces. For me, the biggest vision is to build a truly supportive and uplifting pre-vet community. We all know the field can be competitive, but that doesn’t mean we can’t lift each other up along the way. Mental health is such a huge part of that and I want every pre-vet to feel supported and make sure their reasons for wanting to be a vet are aligned with a growth mindset. We need to focus on increasing overall well-being because I don’t want anyone to burn out before they even start their careers. Pre-vets deserve to go through the application process feeling proud of themselves and confident in their journey, whether or not they become vets. We’ve been working on expanding the club and offering more stress-buster and bonding events, but building a sustainable, healthy community takes time, and I’m really excited to see how far we will push for that!


What has been the most rewarding part of being presidents? Is there any particular memory you love?
Emily: The most rewarding part of being co-president is seeing the impact this club has on others. Whether it’s a student telling me they feel better about everything because they talked to another pre-vet or exec at an event we hosted, or watching an exec member step out of their comfort zone to lead something amazing, these moments remind me why I wanted to do this in the first place. My favourite memories are at outreach events (Subs and Clubs Day, Fall Preview Day, Clubs Days) and being able to talk to so many students who are as passionate about one-health and animal welfare as I am.
Sara: The most rewarding part of being a co-president has definitely been pushing myself, and others, out of our comfort zone and overseeing events that I never thought I’d be able to pull off! I deal with anxiety, so running meetings and public-speaking can be pretty scary, and even though I do it weekly now for our executive, I still get anxious a lot. But, there’s something so empowering about getting through and proving to myself that I can still do it, even with anxiety. I also feel really proud when I see our executive team grow and when our members are engaged and keep coming back to our events. It’s been great getting to know some of our members, and it’s always reassuring to realize how many of us are in the same boat. One memory I absolutely loved was our O-week Cozy Campfire because we had such a big turnout! I really enjoyed giving advice to first-years and reminding them to take things slow and take breaks. I may have suggested playing Roblox a little too much, but hey, it makes for a good break!


What do you think the FVC will be like in 10 years?
Emily: In 10 years, I see FVC as a leading space for pre-vet students, not just at Guelph but across the globe. I imagine a club that fosters meaningful mentorships, hosts large-scale events with professionals from all walks of veterinary life and continues to prioritize mental health and inclusivity. I hope FVC becomes known as a club that celebrates diversity and offers a safe space where students can thrive, no matter where they are in their journey.
Sara: I hope that FVC will have a strongly defined community in 10 years! I also hope we will expand our membership in terms of cultural background and educational backgrounds (high schoolers, undergrads, grad students). I envision us hosting more events with vets from diverse backgrounds, as well as events focused on mental health and well-being. I also hope that FVC becomes a go-to space for pre-vets to find mentorship and build meaningful connections, not just for their career goals but for personal growth too. Lastly, I’d love for FVC to be seen as a leader in fostering a balanced and supportive environment in the pre-vet community.


What do you think you personally will be like in 10 years?
Emily: As for myself in 10 years, I hope to be living my dream as a veterinarian, possibly specializing in diagnostic imaging or emergency and critical care. I’d love to own or co-own a clinic where I can combine my passion for helping animals with creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. My ultimate goal is to build a life that feels fulfilling both professionally and personally, one where I can also snowboard the Rockies, travel Europe and Asia watching sports games, and spend quality time with my family (and dogs!).
Sara: In 10 years, I’m hoping I’ll either be done with vet school or pursuing an alternative career path that I’m equally passionate about! I think I’ll keep picking up new hobbies and interests, and I really hope that my career won’t be the only thing that defines me. By then, I’m hoping that I’ll actually be good at playing guitar (LOL) and have finally gotten over my fear of playing in front of people. I also really hope that I finally have pets– I’ve been waiting too long! Beyond that, not much else… I just want to be happy, surrounded by lots of love, and of course, cats. I feel like I’m on a good path to get there!


Do you have any advice to other Future Vets?
Emily: To future vets, my biggest advice is to take care of yourself. This is a long, tough journey, but it’s one worth taking. Remember to celebrate your progress, even if it feels small, and give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. Lean on your community, you don’t have to do it alone, and keep reminding yourself why you started this journey in the first place. You belong here, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Sara: My biggest advice would be to practice self-compassion. As pre-vets, it’s so easy to be hard on ourselves, but reminding myself of all that I do, and to be gentle with myself, has been a game-changer. And when I say “all that I do,” I don’t mean just school or extracurriculars; I mean the basics, like taking care of myself and keeping up with everyday tasks. Being human is hard! We don’t give ourselves nearly enough credit for navigating life on this planet, with all its barriers and expectations. So take a moment to acknowledge how much you are already doing!


Do you have any advice to future presidents of the FVC?
Emily: To future FVC presidents: Lead with empathy. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of running a club, but never lose sight of the people who make it special. Focus on building connections, listening to your team, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate when things get overwhelming, it’s okay to lean on your team. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun. FVC isn’t just about events and meetings; it’s about the memories you create along the way.
Sara: Take it easy and have fun! Being co-president can definitely feel overwhelming at times, but remember- it’s just a club, and you’re allowed to enjoy it too! Make sure you're having fun at events and gaining something positive from the experience. I like to go by the phrase “leaders eat last” but that doesn’t mean that leaders shouldn’t eat at all! You deserve to enjoy the journey just as much as anyone else

Emily's cow mug.

Sara's Olaf mug and guava juice.

If you could put one thing in the ‘FVC Time Capsule,’ what would it be, and why?
Emily: If I could put one thing in the FVC Time Capsule, it would be a bible verse that ties into the themes of community, support, and perseverance: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
This verse reminds us of the power of community and how we are at our best when we support one another. I think it captures the heart of what FVC is all about: being there for each other through challenges, celebrating each other’s victories, and knowing we’re never alone on this journey. I hope whoever opens the capsule feels inspired to continue fostering that same spirit of connection and compassion in FVC.
On another note, I would also include this cow mug in the time capsule. When I fill it with tea, it looks like a cow sitting in a field of wheat and grass. To me, it’s a reminder of the kind of peace and contentment I hope to feel when I look back on my life someday
Sara: My best answer right now would be putting this super cool, slightly scary Olaf mug I just bought because I love Olaf. He sings a song that says “This will all make sense when I am older” and I think that’s such a cute and reassuring reminder when going through hardships or confusing times. If I wanted to go extra I would put some Del Monte Guava juice to pair with because it's some really good juice.

And thus concludes our very first FVC Time Capsule article! I hope you learned a lot from reading about our 2024-2025 Co-Presidents, and perhaps this will inspire you in some way. Whether it is to continue on your pre-vet path, join the club, become an exec, or to reassure yourself that "this will all make sense when you are older," I hope you can take away something helpful or inspiring. 
Stay tuned for many, many more FVC Time Capsule articles in the near future!

Yours truly,
Emily Camarda, Senior Editor