Dr Ryley Vernon

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

With Distinction

Faculty of Medical Sciences

Ryley Vernon knew from childhood that she wanted to be around animals for the rest of her life. Having grown up around horses and dogs in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with her parents and three older siblings, she sought out a life path that would feed her curiosity about animals and allow her to help them.

After attending Mount Alvernia Preparatory and, subsequently, Mount Alvernia High schools, Ryley came to The UWI for practical reasons, but stayed because being at a world-class Caribbean institution instilled her with pride. Interacting with people who were like-minded and learning from those who shared different views, enriched her experience.

Ryley takes inspiration from those around her who exemplify living life to the fullest. In following this
philosophy, she cites Vet Fun Day in her fourth year as one of her most memorable experiences, especially as
her group was the smallest but dominated the scavenger hunt. Beyond that, as part of her “have you cake while
you can” philosophy, she engages in the creative arts alongside her studies, playing the guitar and piano,
singing, writing songs, painting, and dancing – the latter of which she did with the UWI Dance Club during the
earlier part of her academic journey. These artistic moments, along with the moments she spends with her friends and family, keep her centred.

In addition to being strategic about setting goals for herself, she made great efforts to balance her school life and her social life, especially when things were most hectic. These non-academic sides of her life, when the world seemed at ease, gift her with moments of clarity that bring her the most joy in life.

These altogether sum up what it means to “Be UWI” to Ryley – to experience.

Ryley plans to continue to strive for a future which balances work and play. She also strives to bring better
awareness to the wider society about the importance of animal life with a grander aim of contributing to the
reduction of the levels of animal cruelty reported globally. For her, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words resound –
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded”.