Simple moments: Photo assignment -- Ryan Subject

August 28, 2026

Ryan Subject, AVC 2027, travelled to Port Hope Simpson as one of the student participants on the Chinook Project. As part of the experience, the students craft various pieces of writing.

I gained a lot from my experience in Labrador with the Chinook Project. From surgical skills

to client communication and many more, I gained a lot that will stick with me as I progress

into my career as a veterinarian. As I sit here flipping through different photos from the trip,

there is one thing in common with every photo that will stick with me for a lifetime. That

thing is the bond I grew with my teammates on that trip.

Prior to the Chinook Project, we were all friendly with each other in passing, but now I

consider these people to be family. There were many photos I could have used in this post,

but I decided to choose this one as it showcases one of many bonds formed and how

content we are in each other’s presence. This photo was taken after a long day in clinic, and

a group of us walked around Port Hope Simpson, simply taking in its true beauty and filling

the air with laughter as we got into shenanigans.

At the end of the walk, we all sat at the edge of a pier to watch the sunset and found a

certain comfort in silence while cracking the odd joke. This is one of many moments that I

will forever cherish. As a team, we spent every waking moment together and worked in a

cohesive manner, supporting one another every step of the way. When times were tough,

we always had a shoulder to cry on, offered with no hesitation. On the other hand, there were not many conversations that didn’t end with uncontrollable laughter.

I am forever grateful for this crew and the simple moments of joy that they filled my heart

with. Thank you to every single one of you for being there and for being your true self.