My Vet School Experience
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It’s been about a month since I started working at the vet school.
In addition to having a 3-minute commute and getting to eat breakfast and drink my coffee slowly and peacefully, there have been many other highlights.
My Vet School Experience. Summed up in four separate incidents.
1) Working in my office and overhearing someone in the hallway saying, “When Dr.V comes in, tell her there’s something dead lying on my desk for her.” (She wasn’t joking).
2) Coming across a post-it note in the lecture hall that was left behind for the professor. The message scribbled on it said: Dr. V- There is an injured rooster here (in tech office) that I’d love to ask you to take a look at when you are done with lecture.
3) Walking around the lecture hall before proctoring an exam, and noticing all the students’ desktop pictures as their laptops turn on. Pigs and cows and horses for DAYS.
4) Editing and formatting an exam and noticing that the word “bitch” was an answer choice. And not only the answer choice. But the correct answer choice.
#OnlyInVetSchool, I suppose.
Even though I’ve temporarily moved away from the classroom setting, it feels really nice to be around people who are so passionate about what they’re doing. The vets that are teaching these students speak with such animation. And the students have so much energy and enthusiasm when they talk about their clinical skills course or their first-ever experience doing surgery on a cow.
So, even though I’m missing my little babies (because they are the ones that I’m passionate about!), being around others who have such fervor and intensity gives me a rush of excitement each and every day.
Questions of the Day:
- Are you doing what you’re passionate about?
- Are you an animal lover? Or would you rather work with kids?
Oh my goodness number one. I think that could be the first reason why I could never work in/be a veterinarian!!!!
This would not be my area of passion either, although it’s definitely a field where skill is needed! My uncle is a vet and has a big heart for animal health.
You post for some reason reminded me of the time when I was head of department at a school in London and a bunch of students found an injured pigeon in the school yard and brought it to me as I was Dr.
My doctoral degree is in chemistry. I had that darn bird in my office all through the school day, and then I took it to the vet.
Working at a vet school sounds like an adventure. I would just hope people would bring in cute little dogs and I’d just play with them.
Working in healthcare, I can relate to many of these incidents! I’ve always been fortunate enough to work in a field that I am passionate about. Many people have often stated they don’t know how I could do end of life and now palliative care but it is one of the most rewarding things to do.
I am doing what I love, but not for a career. What I love is blogging, and I absolutely want it to be my career one day. Right now, I am a nanny. I love the girl I care for with all of my heart, but with my contract ending soon, and knowing that nannying is not my passion, I’ve got to figure out what’s next.
So glad you are enjoying your new adventure!
I love animals fiercely. I always said I’d be a bad vet because I would just save all of the animals for free. LOL.
Fun! I do like select animals, but not all. However, my daughter wants to be a vet tech! She loves ALL animals and keeps saying she wants to help them. She’s only 10 so she could change her mind, but seriously, she’ll touch any animals. My parents found a snake in their yard (poisonous) and she reached out to touch it.
I love animals, but I could never be a vet – but I think I could support those who are! I’m sure you’ll have lots of other interesting stories as time goes on!
My daughter who is now 12 really wants to go to vet school. I am going to direct her to your post. Thanks for writing your experience
I loved reading this. My father-in-law was a vet for 30 years (recently retired). I’m sure he’ll enjoy reading this as well so I just emailed it to him.
I love that you are surrounded by people who are so passionate about animals. Maybe because I always have had a soft spot in my heart for them. I understand that though this might not be what you’re passionate about, sometimes being around people who eat, breathe, live for their profession–well, that tends to ignite something within us <3
See, I would be that immature person who would try to incorporate “bitch” as many times as possible into any school paper.
Hee hee.
Haha. I can only imagine the stories. You make non education life sound so good. :/ I know you miss them and are passionate about them, but enjoy this time for sure.
I worked for my local SPCA which also works closely with the vet school in my city. We had so many talented vets and vets to be in the building all the time helping to take care of animals. it was such a great and sometimes eye opening experience. Some of the stuff that happens on a day to day basis is miraculous and also heartbreaking. I can see how it would be interesting to be apart of that daily.
So glad you are finding some joy in your new job! I’m sure it was a real culture shock going from the classroom to what you are doing now.
This seems like a really cool experience! I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
This sounds like quite the experience! I studied veterinary medicine in college but not at an actual vet school. I bet it’s fun to be around!
I love animals but I couldn’t be a vet because I couldn’t see them sick or hurt. I would cry everyday.
Sounds like a great experience! Always nice when you can work doing something you love
very different kind of classroom. I am sure you are learning so much and the job doesn’t seem to be boring at all. Really great the vets really take their time with their students.
I didn’t think I would want to work with animals, then I visited the Marine Mammal Center last week in San Francisco. I left with a newfound desire to help animals in some way!
My family always thought I was destined for vet school. I ended up in art school. But it wasn’t long before I realized that was not passion. Animal behavior. I’ve been working with dogs and cats and their behavior for 19 years and love every minute!
It’s definitely cool to be around people who are passionate about what they do. I do like animals but I don’t know if I could work with them like vets are able to.
Funny experiences. As an animal lover I considered vet school, but ended up in the dental field instead. We had a lot of funny things happen in that culture too. A dentist setting his coat on fire with a bunson burning and walking down the hall not knowing it. A patient’s pants falling down as he walked into the office. And, many little dramas that I always thought I would write a book about called, “As the Drill Turns”.
I’m glad that the work environment at the vet school has been so positive! Your #OnlyinVetSchool moments made me laugh. I’m glad that so many vets are in a field for which they have so much passion.
Wow this sounds really neat. I love learning more about your experiences.
I do love animals, but I’d be a bit heartbroken if they were sick or dying. I have friend that’s currently going to school to be a vet tech though!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Sounds like a very interesting area to work in!! I would find those notes funny too… I wonder if they even think it’s funny when they’re writing them? LOL
Passion is so important in finding a career. Congratulations on finding something that you love that will help so many animals.
Wow this is one of the things I would like to do. My veterinarian cousin used to tag me along when he visits his patients and its one of the best experience I have.
I’m so glad that you are liking your new job, and that you are getting a chance to recharge your batteries!
I stand behind the decision to have a pig, horse, or cow background regardless of profession. On a serious note, thanks for a good read!
It sounds like you’ve found your new passion. The saying goes “do what you love and never work a day in your life”. I love what I’m doing now and very content with it.
This is really neat. I have never known anyone who is a vet personally, but I appreciate the work they do.
Working at a vet school sounds like quite the unique and thrilling experience. Could never get bored there!
It sounds like a pretty unique setting to work in, and something new to see every day. I don’t know how I would cope!
This experience sounds amazing! This made me LOL “4) Editing and formatting an exam and noticing that the word “bitch” was an answer choice. And not only the answer choice. But the correct answer choice.”
So true!
If anyone is interested in getting into vet school there are interviews with all kinds of vet students on my website below. Some got in on their first try and others had to apply a few years in a row before getting in.
There are days that your canine could appear lazy and torpid but when this goes on for 24 to 48 hours, it is time to take him to the vet. If you happen to observe your canine to have extended durations of sleep, disinterest in interacting or taking part in, hiding in uncommon locations and no need to your each day stroll, he could also be experiencing collapse.
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great post
I am sure this experience must have enriched and inspired you. Vet school is like no other place, where experienced vets impart their knowledge with full dedication and the inspired and enlightened minds of the students eagerly absorb them and prepare themselves for a glorious career ahead.