Dreams to Action: Attorney Claudia Ryan Scrubs in as Volunteer Veterinarian at Just Cats Veterinary Clinic, P.C.

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 15, 2015) – On Sunday, March 8th, Attorney Claudia A. Ryan, Principal at Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., the largest New York State certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) law firm in Upstate New York, sat on a stage at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs for an informal discussion entitled “Dreams to Action” at the One Woman. One World. event celebrating International Women’s Day.

Ms. Ryan had been asked to speak to an audience full of inspiring and powerful women about the process of becoming certified as a Women Business Enterprise in New York State.

Despite her career as a respected and well-known attorney in the Capital District, Ms. Ryan has never been fond of public speaking engagements. So when the floor turned over to her that Sunday afternoon, Ms. Ryan decided to take a turn in a less expected direction.

Ms. Ryan’s opening statement echoed what many women in that room had probably heard multiple times in their lives and multiple times within their careers. She explained to the audience that as a young girl she had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She dreamed that she would follow in her father’s footsteps and eventually own her own successful veterinary practice. That was up until one fateful day when her parents sat her down and told her that her dream was not going to become a reality.

Why you ask? Because she is a woman.

The words ran deep in a room full of women from different backgrounds with different and equally touching stories to tell. So much so that one veterinarian in the room, Dr. Susan Sikule, owner of Just Cats Veterinary Clinic, P.C. in Guilderland and Saratoga Springs, decided she was going to help Ms. Ryan fulfill her childhood dreams.

On Wednesday, June 17th, the tables will turn for Ms. Ryan as she shadows Dr. Sikule at Just Cats. Ms. Ryan will have the opportunity to mask up and observe a day in the life of a woman veterinarian. She will follow Dr. Sikule as she examines hospitalized cats and performs surgery.

“Claudia is such a great model for young women exploring careers. She shows us that it is the drive to succeed in whatever you do that is most important. We are so excited to have her join us for the day,” said Dr. Sikule.

For most, the turn of events that led to this opportunity may seem far-fetched, but for Ms. Ryan – she is just putting her dreams to action.

“Who said dreams don’t always come true? I am very excited to have the opportunity to shadow Dr. Sikule and her staff,” said Ms. Ryan