2 answers
Monique
Student
15
Questions
2 answers
Michael Holzhauser-Alberti
Veterinarian
29
Answers
Urbana, Illinois
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Why not, Monique. Why not. In my answers to others, I have always tried to explain my motivations for becoming a vet so maybe I can invite you to cross-reference. What motivates me will be different than what motivates you. I think that's something that needs to be kept in mind from the start. Take stock of your talents, work on the areas where you are weaker, spend time understanding something about methodology, which is how to learn, how to take notes, when during the day you are at your best, do the more difficult exercises then, and so on.
One thing I remember during vet school discussing with a future colleague was that when we did some rotations where we did not have clinical exposure, it led us to miss touching the animals. Years later, when I went into pharmaceutical assessment, which is documentation-based (the tests are already done by the animal health industry applying for the authorization of its drug), I had little direct contact with animals on my job, it took me about 10 years to no longer miss that.
When I went to vet school I had had little experience with horses so in order to prepare for the large animal clinical rotation I started horse-back riding. More than the skills I acquired during that short stint, I to this day have a very good memory of all the time spent getting the horse ready, cleaning the hooves, brushing the body off from dust, before putting the saddle on.
During my small animal rotation, I was assigned to a cat with, what turned out to be, a mouth cancer. Trying to save this cat I got into scientific articles that mentioned experimental treatments, but what marked me most was when the teacher said something about patient care. This cat's ability was to groom herself was severely limited so this required of me to brush her to keep her clean and looking good (though she must have felt horrible).
You don't always save the animals you treat. They end up in the recesses of your veterinarian heart.
I have met such interesting, dedicated people being a veterinarian, from owners to specialists like farriers and microbiologists.
One thing I remember during vet school discussing with a future colleague was that when we did some rotations where we did not have clinical exposure, it led us to miss touching the animals. Years later, when I went into pharmaceutical assessment, which is documentation-based (the tests are already done by the animal health industry applying for the authorization of its drug), I had little direct contact with animals on my job, it took me about 10 years to no longer miss that.
When I went to vet school I had had little experience with horses so in order to prepare for the large animal clinical rotation I started horse-back riding. More than the skills I acquired during that short stint, I to this day have a very good memory of all the time spent getting the horse ready, cleaning the hooves, brushing the body off from dust, before putting the saddle on.
During my small animal rotation, I was assigned to a cat with, what turned out to be, a mouth cancer. Trying to save this cat I got into scientific articles that mentioned experimental treatments, but what marked me most was when the teacher said something about patient care. This cat's ability was to groom herself was severely limited so this required of me to brush her to keep her clean and looking good (though she must have felt horrible).
You don't always save the animals you treat. They end up in the recesses of your veterinarian heart.
I have met such interesting, dedicated people being a veterinarian, from owners to specialists like farriers and microbiologists.
Heather Rodin
Product Manager
20
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Heather’s Answer
My father was a vet. He enjoyed it a lot. I grew up around his clinic (went to work with him) and we had a ton of animals. I would say if the gross part of the job does not bother you.... and the daily work is typically 90% gross (blood, puss, vomit, wounds, surgery, etc) then its a good career to go for.
Watch some YouTube videos about vets and their daily job
Job shadow a veterinarian
Heather recommends the following next steps:
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