Alba had always dreamed of a career in criminalistics, especially one that could blend her love for animals with the investigative aspects of forensic science. Her search for an academic pathway that married these interests led her to the University of Florida’s online Veterinary Forensic Sciences Program offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine. She immediately knew this program aligned perfectly with her career aspirations and commitment to animal welfare.
Graduating from the program in 2017, she now works as a high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter veterinarian and owns a mobile practice that serves communities across Ohio. In addition to her veterinary work, Alba hosts a podcast called The Animal Welfare Junction, which discusses critical topics related to animal welfare and animal crime cases. “I wanted to become more involved in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect, and UF’s curriculum offered the education I needed to pursue this goal,” she said.
Alba’s remarkable academic journey began in Puerto Rico, where her ambitions led her to Michigan State University at 17. From that early leap into higher education, she has charted a distinguished academic and professional course, balancing rigorous studies with the demands of parenthood. Her accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Michigan State, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Adding to her expertise, Alba secured a Master of Science in Veterinary Forensic Sciences from the University of Florida and an M.S. in Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Presently, she is pursuing an MSL at Lewis & Clark Law School with a focus on Animal Law, a specialized degree crafted for those outside the legal profession.
In addition to her numerous academic degrees, Alba earned an online Shelter Medicine graduate certificate, another program offered by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. The focus of her veterinary work is to provide accessible care throughout Ohio, collaborating with many shelters and humane societies. She found the shelter medicine certificate program essential to help her create a high-quality, safe environment for the animals in their care.
Alba’s favorite aspects of being a mobile veterinarian are her ability to bring affordable care to individuals in need, maintain the human-animal bond, and minimize animal neglect caused by a lack of resources. While balancing her career with her academic ambitions has been challenging, she managed to set aside time at the end of each day to work on her classes. With 15 years of professional practice, achieving the goals of her coursework came naturally to Alba.
To further awareness about accessible care and protection for animals, Alba hosts a podcast called The Animal Welfare Junction. “I started the podcast in January 2023 with the goal of reaching out to a broad audience with education in both animal welfare and forensics,” she said. Topics range from general pet wellness to discussions on animal cruelty and neglect. Her guests are often humane officers, who share their unique perspective on how these professionals handle forensic investigations and bring cases to resolution.
Alba’s journey through UF’s online veterinary forensics program was transformative, providing her with the essential expertise required to excel in uncovering and scrutinizing cases of animal mistreatment. Although her background as a veterinarian offered a foundational grasp of these issues, the program offered deeper insights, particularly for crime scene processing, the role of entomology, and the critical connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence.
The program also opened the door for unique career opportunities and growth after graduation. “This degree has given me the opportunity to travel outside of Ohio through national organizations, like HSUS, and assist in animal hoarding, puppy mill investigations, dog fighting, and cock fighting cases,” she said. She has also been invited to give presentations in veterinary forensics for veterinary students and veterinary technicians. Last year, she traveled to Mexico to provide forensic training to veterinarians and law enforcement.
Alba enthusiastically recommends UF’s online Master’s in Veterinary Forensic Sciences program to anyone pursuing a career in veterinary forensics. “There is so much happening in this field and so much on the horizon…This is a growing field, and the possibilities are endless,” she said.
The UF College of Veterinary Medicine offers a Master of Science in Veterinary Forensic Sciences, a Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Forensic Medicine, and online continuing education courses. This fully online program is designed to foster the application of forensic sciences to veterinary medicine through workshops, short courses, graduate research, case analysis, and distance education. Students and working professionals in the forensic science and veterinary medicine field will benefit the most from this program, along with master’s-level students in the biology, zoology, wildlife, and natural resource conservation fields. Explore programs and apply online today.