Being a veterinarian is at its core, facilitated by having tremendous compassion and empathy. In the case of Dr. Briana Schwapp, these qualities are not only exhibited through her professional depth but also through her resplendence and commitment to self-preservation. Schwapp is a high-minded tastemaker whose impish wit, pairs well with her radiance and the incalculable level of care she has for her beloved animals.
The last time we caught up with the articulate Jamaican soca lover, she was on the verge of completing her veterinary training in Trinidad & Tobago; but, so much has changed since then. Though she has returned to Jamaica, the time Schwapp spent in the idyllic twin islands was a truly unforgettable time…but not just for herself.
Schwapp’s tactful transparency during her time in Trinidad, became a means by which she unintentionally ameliorated cultural gaps in the Caribbean. Outsiders were able to garner insightful nuances about Trini culture from ‘Bri’ and she was never afraid to share different parts of her journey towards becoming ‘Dr. Schwapp’ , with her adoring social media followers. Whether it was expressing a little bit of anxiety over an upcoming examination or ‘wukking up’ on the road with her Elektra Tribe babes, Schwapp always made us feel like we were a part of her journey. Therefore it was no surprise, that there was a tremendous outpouring of love for her when she finally became a doctor.
She has now transitioned into her full-time career as a veterinarian, and her continued tactful transparency has allowed Schwapp to bring a sense of relatability to the profession. Young Caribbean girls can seek to emulate the poise and grace with which Schwapp navigates balancing her professional responsibilities and family life. The opinionated aspects of her personality cannot overshadow the gentleness of her heart and it’s difficult not to put Scwhapp on a pedestal based on the caliber of woman that she is. Everything she does is grounded by the profound love she has for soca music, animals and her family.
CARIB VOXX: What do you miss the most about Trinidad, and what do you think is the biggest cultural similarity between there and Jamaica?
Schwapp: “Right now, I’m really missing the ‘carnival feeling’. It feels like everywhere is pulsing leading up to the week and there is this energy in the air that I can’t describe. I think we’re most culturally similar in how we enjoy ourselves and our warmth.”
CARIB VOXX: The absence of Carnival must be devastating to you, like many soca lovers across the region. How has its absence caused you to reflect on Carnivals of times past?
Schwapp: “The absence of Carnival is heartbreaking to me, but it’s truly devastating for people whose livelihood depends on it. I’ve been thinking about how blessed I am to have lived there and enjoyed it so many years in a row. I try not to dwell on the memories, but sometimes I have to indulge and watch videos and look at pictures to remind myself that the freedom and bliss were real. I’m so grateful that we experienced that and we will again.”
CARIB VOXX: What has been the most difficult aspect of transitioning from being a student to practicing full-time as a vet?
Schwapp: “Oh my gosh, where do I start? For me, the hardest part of transitioning from student to doctor was having faith in my own voice and my own ability. As a student, you can practice everything, but there is always someone to verify your findings or plan. As a doctor, there are many things that I have to just decide on right off the bat, and I had to learn to trust myself – I kept finding that I was right but telling myself that I was wrong! Thankfully I have the most amazing support system of friends, support staff and mentors so it’s been getting easier and easier.”
CARIB VOXX: Are there any aspects of being a vet that surprised you in a way school could not have prepared you for?
Schwapp: “A big part of being a veterinarian is sometimes having to convince people that you know what you’re talking about and that your information is the most reliable, even when competing with Dr. Google and Dr. Tiktok. Veterinarians’ best interests will ALWAYS be the well-being of the animal – whether it’s a dog, or a cow, or a turtle, or a bird – and medicine is always evolving. It’s good to hear clients’ perspectives because most of the time people only want what’s best for their animal, but you do spend a bit of time actually convincing them to trust you. School can’t prepare you for that. A huge part of veterinary medicine is trust, and you have to learn to earn that by simply working as best as you can and communicating well.”
CARIB VOXX : What are some of the ways you believe that we can improve animal welfare in Jamaica?
Schwapp: “We have a long way to go, but there are big and small ways that we can help to improve animal welfare in Jamaica. We are working on amending our welfare laws, which is a crucial step. People can help us by encouraging friends, family and neighbors to seek always seek veterinary advice and care when necessary. Report poor welfare and animal cruelty to the JVMA, JSPCA or police! It can feel frustrating but we have to start somewhere and raise awareness of incidents with the relevant bodies. An essential small step, is spaying or neutering your cat or dog. We are about to face a crisis with the amount of strays that we have, and ANY dog or cat can contribute to this – one female dog & her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in 5 years, and one female cat and her offspring can produce 370,000 cats in the same amount of time. Stray dogs are responsible for many if not most dog attacks. Spay & neuter saves lives, so please get it done!
Remember to always verify a new vet with the list of licensed veterinarians in Jamaica, on the JVMA website. You can also find vets for your area on here too, so don’t hesitate to check online and find one nearby.”
CARIB VOXX: The assertion has been made on Twitter multiple times in the past that you should consider entering a Miss Jamaica pageant. You already embody beauty with a purpose existentially, but is this something you would ever consider?
Schwapp: “Hell no. It makes me laugh when people say that! I have a genuine obsession with our beauty queens – Kaci Fennel, Davina Bennett, Miqueal-Symone Williams, Toni-Ann Singh – because I definitely could not do what they did. If you saw me walk in heels, you would understand.”