The rise of Dr. Julio Alonso-Lecumberry

Plenty of people dream of becoming a veterinarian, but few actually do it. It’s a difficult road to get into veterinary college, find a way to finance it, and keep that passion alive through so many years of education.

Julio Alonso-Lecumberry knew, almost from day one, that he wanted to be a veterinarian. Unlike so many other children, he didn’t grow out of his passionate love for animals and believed he would find a way to work with them one day.

This was reinforced in high school, when he took a job working at a veterinary clinic. He studied hard to get the grades needed to get into college. Eventually, he got into the University of Puerto Rico, and from there, the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana.

After completing his veterinary education, Dr. Julio went on to oversee how animals are handled in movies, ensuring that they were not harmed during filming. He has also worked for the ASPCA and the American Humane Society.

Today, Dr. Julio is living his dream of practicing veterinary medicine at Bond Vet in New York, but it hasn’t been an easy road. There are a lot of hurdles to clear when becoming a veterinarian. One of the most agonizing decisions in his life was signing the paperwork for the loans he would need. 

Like many vets, he has struggled with debt and also feels that the industry suffers from under-appreciation and burnout. These are undeniable problems in the profession, but he hopes we have hit a turning point, and a brighter future is around the corner.

Although being a veterinarian is a huge facet of Dr. Julio’s life, it’s not the only part. If he weren’t a veterinarian, he believes that he would be a wildlife photographer. The mesmerizing beauty of video and photography for nature magazines and channels is a wonder to behold, and he would love to be a part of that.  He also believes that everyone should try taking care of an animal at least once. The human-animal bond is a powerful one, something everyone should experience.

After a tough day in the office, Dr. Julio likes to hit the gym to relieve stress or try out a new restaurant. Since COVID restrictions are in place, he usually does this via Seamless, but he’s looking forward to sitting down in restaurants again someday.

 Always sure that he wanted to work with animals one day, Julio followed that passion to a successful career. He notes, though, that most people are striving toward something in the future. If you’re always looking forward to the weekend, you’re missing out on what happens during your work week. Live for the day, he advises, and if there’s nothing worthwhile in the day itself—change it.