From Great Danes to Great Stories: A Journey from Veterinarian to Playwright

A Childhood Dream Rooted in Animals

From the very beginning, I only ever wanted one thing: to be a veterinarian. My love for animals was all-consuming, even as a child growing up in a New York City apartment where pets weren’t exactly welcome. For an entire summer I had to sneak Christopher, my 140-pound Great Dane, up and down stairs and back alleyways. Sneaking him around wasn’t easy, but when we encountered people his charm won them over.

Most of the time, though, my love for animals lived in my imagination. I read about them, dreamed about them, and imagined one day meeting my favorite: the platypus (still a dream, though now it shares the spotlight with the pangolin). My path to veterinary school seemed inevitable, even as another passion tugged at me—acting.

The Crossroads: Science or Performing Arts?

When I was accepted into both The Bronx High School of Science and The High School of Performing Arts, I faced a life-altering decision. I loved theater, but my parents urged me to choose the practical route. “Acting can be a hobby,” they said. “Veterinary medicine is a career.” Coming from a low middle-class background, their advice made sense. I chose science and never looked back—at least, not entirely.

A Life Balanced Between Two Worlds

The theater never truly left me. Watching Fame during my senior year, I saw what life could have been if I’d chosen the arts—and felt no regret. Through the years, I kept one foot in the world of theater while building a rewarding career as a veterinarian. My passion for animals and my desire to help and protect them never wavered, but I couldn’t shake my love for storytelling.

Finding My True Spine

Eventually, my life and the business of veterinary medicine shifted, and I took the leap into playwriting full-time. It wasn’t just a career change; it was a synthesis of everything I loved—animals and the power of storytelling. My spine—the guiding force in my life—has always been my connection to animals and my desire to show the world their beauty, intelligence, and vital role in our lives.

Connecting It All to White Fang

That same spine is what drew me to adapt White Fang. This story about survival, transformation, and the bond between humans and animals speaks directly to the essence of who I am. It’s a natural extension of the journey that has shaped my life—one built on a love of animals and the stories they inspire.