What does it take to build a veterinary career that spans marine mammal care, private practice, and wildlife rescue? For Dr. Amanda Pinder, the answer lies in passion, resilience, and a willingness to take bold career steps.
Raised in the Bahamas, Amanda knew from a young age that she wanted to work with animals. But becoming a veterinarian isn’t easy—with acceptance rates for vet school hovering around 8%, the journey required persistence and determination. That dedication led her to launch her own mobile veterinary practice, serve as the attending vet at Atlantis Resort, and now, embark on an exciting new venture—establishing the Bahamas’ first equine hospital.
In this episode of No Wrong Choices, Amanda shares her remarkable career journey, including one of the most unforgettable moments of her life: rescuing a stranded dolphin—only to reunite with it years later in the wild.
The Journey to Becoming a Veterinarian
Amanda’s love for animals started early, but breaking into veterinary medicine is one of the toughest challenges in the medical field. With limited vet schools and fierce competition, Amanda had to fight for her place. She shares the challenges of getting into vet school, the demanding coursework, and the resilience it takes to thrive in this career.
Working with Marine Mammals at Atlantis
After building her own veterinary practice, Amanda took on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—becoming the attending veterinarian at Atlantis Resort, where she cared for dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life. She shares what it was like to work in this high-profile environment, the complexities of marine mammal medicine, and how the experience shaped her future.
A Full-Circle Moment: Rescuing and Reuniting with a Dolphin
One of Amanda’s most incredible career moments came when she helped rescue and rehabilitate a stranded dolphin. Years later, in a stunning twist of fate, she encountered that same dolphin again in the wild. It recognized her.
This moment, she says, reaffirmed why she does what she does. It’s about more than medicine—it’s about connection, conservation, and impact.
The Next Chapter: Launching the Bahamas’ First Equine Hospital
Amanda’s story doesn’t end with Atlantis. She’s now pioneering a new veterinary venture, helping to establish the Bahamas’ first equine hospital. In this episode, she explains why this project is so critical for the region, what it takes to start something from scratch, and the lessons she’s carrying forward from her career so far.
Key Takeaways from Dr. Amanda Pinder’s Career Journey
- Breaking into veterinary medicine requires persistence. With fewer than 8% of applicants accepted into vet school, Amanda shares what it really takes to succeed.
- Opportunities can lead to unexpected places. From her own practice to marine mammal care at Atlantis, Amanda embraced career pivots that shaped her path.
- Rescue work can be life-changing. The experience of rescuing and reuniting with a dolphin in the wild was a powerful reminder of the impact veterinarians can have.
- Entrepreneurship is a leap of faith. Now, Amanda is taking on a new challenge—helping launch an equine hospital to serve animals in the Bahamas.
Listen Now: Amanda Pinder on No Wrong Choices
Amanda’s story is a testament to passion, adaptability, and following your purpose—even when the road isn’t always clear.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now on No Wrong Choices, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms!
