Imagine moving across the country for college and bringing your best friend – who happens to be a horse! Bridgewater College’s Clarissa Burrow is doing just that, and now her beloved Mr. Fox needs life-saving treatment. This independent student is working tirelessly to fund his care. Can she raise enough to save her equine companion?

In a heartwarming display of dedication and unwavering love, Bridgewater College student Clarissa Burrow has launched a GoFundMe campaign to secure life-saving treatment for her cherished equine companion, Mr. Fox. This compelling narrative highlights a student’s profound commitment to her animal, navigating significant personal and financial challenges to ensure her horse’s well-being.

Clarissa’s journey to Bridgewater College from Central Texas was anything but conventional. At just 20 years old, she embarked on this academic adventure without ever setting foot on campus, making a leap of faith that was undoubtedly eased by the presence of her most important friend, Mr. Fox, who relocated with her to Virginia.

The bond between Clarissa and Mr. Fox transcends typical pet ownership, as she discovered the devastating news that her horse required urgent, expensive medical intervention. Facing an estimated $10,000 bill for treatment at the renowned Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Clarissa knew she had to find a way to pay, despite her limited financial resources.

As an independent student, Clarissa meticulously manages her college expenses through financial aid, generously supported by alumni donations, and supplements her income with a part-time job at Buc-ee’s. Her resolve stems from a deeply ingrained sense of self-reliance, as she openly shares, “I am independent. I have been living on my own and paying for college on my own. I’m doing everything on my own. I don’t have family money to rely on.”

Her decision to attend Bridgewater College was deliberate, driven by a very specific set of criteria: access to horses, a strong music program, and robust science offerings. After a careful search that narrowed down her options to a select few institutions across the U.S., Bridgewater College not only met these unique requirements but also offered the most substantial financial assistance, solidifying her choice.

Clarissa frequently praises her professors, noting their exceptional dedication and the strong personal relationships she has cultivated with them. They have been instrumental in supporting her through personal struggles and helping her navigate her financial standing, contributing significantly to her positive experience at the college. A biology major with a music minor, Clarissa harbors ambitious dreams of working for NASA, contemplating various paths, including military service or a role with Blue Origin, to fund her future graduate studies.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Clarissa is an active member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, where she competes diligently. While Mr. Fox isn’t her competitive mount, he is integral to her training regimen and participates in individual shows, allowing Clarissa to proudly showcase his abilities. Her passion is evident as she states, “I love going in and showing off how good my horse is. I rescued him. I trained him.”

The story of how Mr. Fox entered her life is equally compelling. At 12 years old in Texas, Clarissa was struggling with a challenging pony when her trainer rescued Mr. Fox, who had just endured a traumatic event. “I want you to hop on him and see how he goes,” her trainer suggested. Clarissa recalls, “That was one of the best rides I’d ever had, and this guy had just come off a trailer from a very traumatic event, and we just clicked.”

Though her family moved frequently across central Texas, Clarissa maintains a close bond with her twin brother, who still resides there. This year, instead of their traditional Christmas reunion, they plan to celebrate their upcoming 21st birthdays together in November, a testament to their enduring connection amidst Clarissa’s independent journey and her unwavering fight for Mr. Fox’s health.