Each summer of veterinary school, I made it a point to work within the veterinary field. I knew it was important for me to become intimately involved in small animal veterinary medicine for the clinical experience in the “real world.”For me, that meant working within a small animal facility because I knew that is what I wanted to do when I graduated. That has always been the vision of myself as a veterinarian.
My first summer, I worked in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, at Reed Pet Hospital. Dr. “Rog” (Roger) was a recent grad with his practice attached to his father’s practice. In other words, a built-in clientele!
I was Dr. Rog’s first and ONLY employee that summer. I played receptionist, vet assistant, kennel help and administrative assistant. I ordered his supplies, made appointments, called clients and assisted during surgery and all in-house appointments. Though this was after my first year of vet school, I learned to connect-the-dots of what I had learned so far! Seeing the anatomy in a live Pet during a spay was pretty cool. Seeing disease connected to that very small pituitary gland (that I could never find during anatomy tests) made it all real. Dr. Rog took great delight in me being his student and explaining everything to me in detail. I know now that was the perfect first summer job!
After my second year of vet school, I worked in Fontana, CA. Mainly because the Olympics were being held in LA that year and it was an easy way to convince my parents I should go. I stayed with friends and quickly found a job between two vet hospitals with one owner. That summer, I was actually the voice and words for a veterinarian new to the U.S. His English was still developing. When clients did not understand him, he would motion with his hand, “You tell, you tell.” I quickly learned to be his interpreter and tell clients what he wanted to do with the Pet, what tests he wanted to run and why. This was perfect since second year we began to learn pathophysiology of diseases in clinics. All those viruses, bacteria and disease processes were still fresh in my mind. And because of this, I was able to help this doctor with his patients. At the other hospital, the veterinarian was well into his golden years. But I learned by watching how to do a really efficient spay. He could do them in his sleep. I often think he did. He didn’t pause at everything that bled nor freaked out if the Pet was in heat. He methodically went about the surgeries. I learned by watching him how to keep cool in these situations. And I took a page from his book: “If something is bleeding in there, go find it. It’s not an infinite galaxy, just the insides of a dog or cat.”
After third year – what we called the preceptorship summer – I worked in Elk Point, SD. Don’t ask me why. But, thank goodness it was summer time. Why? This was a mixed animal practice. I sure am glad I didn’t have to chase cows, be chased by cows or go pull piglets in subzero weather! The owner of this practice took a student each summer. We were his relief help. He would actually allow me to go on farm calls alone, work the greyhound track as the vet-on-duty and perform surgeries. Ok, this was over 25 years ago and it was in South Dakota. Don’t try this at home! That summer, I learned what it was like to BE the doctor on a case, do the exam on a Pet, advise of the client of potential diagnoses and what needed to be done. I pulled calves and sewed up lacerated horses (another reason I am in small animal medicine). I learned how communication with clients was really the key to being able to care for the Pet or animal. Didn’t really matter how smart you were – they knew you were a doctor (almost) but, could you talk to them? Did they really feel that you cared for their Pet?
Every summer, veterinary students should work within the field of veterinary medicine. There is nothing like those wonder years. Seeing what you have learned in school and making the connection. I learned something from each veterinarian I worked with. The biggest lesson: communication. Second: trust your instincts. Third: I don’t like to be chased by cows.
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