“I began working at the Yale Animal Resource Center (YARC) in August 2019, just a few months before the pandemic hit. It was during this time that I truly understood the importance of my role. As part of my responsibilities, I care for thousands of animals, including mice, hamsters, ground squirrels, and even fish. While many people transitioned to working from home, I remained on-site, assisting with animal studies that were vital to understanding COVID-19, its treatment options, and, more recently, the effects of long COVID. Although the work can be stressful, I take pride in ensuring these animals are treated with care and respect.
One of my main tasks is to monitor the well-being of the animals used in various research trials. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of the process that contributes to the development of new medicine and treatments. I collaborate with researchers from around the world, providing guidance on how to conduct humane animal testing. I also mentor newer PhD students and postdoctoral researchers on proper animal care. In my conversations with these researchers, I often learn how personally invested they are in their work. They dedicate years to their research, and I’ve witnessed both their triumphs and setbacks. When experiments are interrupted, painstaking work is undone and research into treatments for debilitating and even fatal diseases can be delayed.
When the VA faced budget cuts, we had to take in all the animals under their care. Fortunately, we had the space to accommodate them, and many of their studies continued here at Yale. However, larger funding cuts affecting the university would be catastrophic. In a moment when things like a pandemic killed millions of people and shut down the global economy, our federal government should continue investing in medical science and in the workers who make this research possible. Even with federal cuts, Yale must ensure that our vital work continues to be supported.
Securing a Local 34 job was a major milestone for me. After studying animal care in college, I worked at various animal care positions around the Northeast, but YARC was my first stable, full-time employment in the field. The union benefits are great, and I was earning a good salary. However, when the pandemic rent freezes ended, my rent increased by 70% in just a few years. Thankfully, I had saved enough to purchase a home, but with inflation on the rise, I had to move my mother in with me to help with expenses. Together, we stay disciplined with our budget to manage the costs of living. Our work and the workers who develop life-saving medication deserve more investment, not less.”