The misguided notion that being a veterinarian is a default escape from human interaction is one which Dr. Gabrielle Roberts existentially demystifies.
“I always wanted to be a vet. I can’t think of a time when I had another career path in mind. Choosing a career was always easy for me—I always knew I wanted to be a vet. In primary school, we had Career Day and I went as a doctor. It was always my only option.”
Like most veterinarians, her love for animals can be traced far back to her formative years, but her love for good people and good company is perpetual. How we interact with the people around us informs so much of our passion and even our career choices.
“I was the child bringing home boxes of kittens, trying to raise them myself, often failing. I begged for every pet on planet Earth (and eventually got them despite my parents saying no initially, just because they knew I had something special with animals). I had pet turkeys, silky bantam chickens, rabbits, dogs, rescued turtles, hamsters, fish, and cats that ran away from everything under the sun.
“My dog Beauty, a little black Pomeranian, was a terror to everyone else but extremely loving to my family and me. And there was Biscuit, the first hamster my Dad finally got me after I begged him for 6 years.”
In the case of Dr. Gabrielle Roberts, there are many layers to explore in understanding how she became one of the most beloved veterinarians in Trinidad & Tobago. Her determination and professional tenacity doesn’t fully capture her warmth, her vivacious spirit, and her flawlessly resplendent skin.
Medical professionals sometimes tend to be socially inept, but it is in the presence of good vibes and good people that Gabrielle comes to life—and the dancehall-loving doctor gets to express her true candor. Her social aptitude has created a pathway to explore an asymmetrical career, as she steps into the world of modeling.
“For so much of my life, loved ones, friends, strangers in a grocery line, and even designers or photographers would either ask if I was a model or would encourage me to model. It happened so often it became a running joke. I was hesitant for years, simply because I refused to step out of my comfort zone. I can’t pinpoint exactly what finally made me decide to do it, but I’m extremely happy I did.
“I thoroughly enjoy it! I think I always knew I would love modeling. I always loved being in front of the camera and I believe I always knew at some point it was something I actually wanted to do—I just had to take the first step.”
Modeling for Tribe Carnival, Elektra, and in recent times commercial gigs for brands like Caribé have given Gabby a dream start to a career direction she fought for so long.
“I think traditionally, Caribbean people tend to be very myopic towards career. It’s either you’re this or that, but never both, and there’s usually a judgmental undertone when the latter is done. Thankfully, in recent times, we have gotten a lot more open-minded towards it.
“Trinis tend to be very laissez-faire at times, but not always towards career or profession. It sounds very cliché, but it is imperative for Caribbean people to adapt to how rapidly the world is changing. We need to accept that professionals can be layered and do things quite differently compared to older generations, especially in the light of social media and otherwise.”
Thoughtful but playful, confident but cautious, free-spirited but intuitive—there are so many layers to the Gabrielle Roberts story. But what we know is that anything she applies herself to becomes a success.
