Entries in Experiences (224)

Friday
Oct062023

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: ACVO CONVENTION

Submitted by Nicki Doan, Ross University

The ACVO (American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology) is a national convention held annually for all veterinary ophthalmologists and those interested in veterinary ophthalmology to attend. To be quite honest, I was very intimidated by the thought of being surrounded by very intelligent hardworking diplomats who earned their spot in this field. But there were also people like me, who had a strong passion for ophthalmology, and were interested in paving our own paths in this field as well. My goal for this conference was to learn about the new scientific research, observe what a national scientific conference is like, and build connections with those who have the same goals as I do. 

The first day consisted of scientific presentations about the tear film, cornea, uvea, and glaucoma. Presenters were at various stages of the ophthalmology totem pole - there were some presenting research as a veterinary student, all the way up to those in a tenured faculty position. I was very impressed with how much work went into these projects, and how much knowledge came out of it.

In between the general presentation sessions, we had a room full of posters that veterinary students, interns, and residents worked on during that year. These posters covered everything one could literally imagine possible in veterinary ophthalmology, such as infectious diseases, to immunology, to predisposed ocular pathologies. 

In the afternoon I attended the Career Fair, which was divided up into specialty internships, residencies, and employment. I had so much fun getting to know more about these programs and having light discussions with those clinicians. I think the most fun was meeting other rotating interns sharing the same experience as me. There’s just something empowering about sharing a similar goal, and having that support system along the way. 

Meeting other Rossies at the conference was also a highlight of the experience. We island kids share a very unique veterinary school experience, and it’s so comforting to meet others with shared memories of St. Kitts landmarks such as Port Zante, Brimstone Fortress, and Romney Manor. In addition, Rossie ophthalmologists make great role models; seeing someone with a similar background become successful showed me that I can be successful too. 

The next 2 days were quite similar to the first, with the theme of presentations and posters being a different aspect of the eye. Overall, my first scientific conference experience was phenomenal and I am empowered by all the drive and passion for veterinary ophthalmology. I left the conference feeling very inspired by my peers, and I hope to be able to make the same contributions to this field just as they had.

Wednesday
Sep202023

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: OEPS CONFERENCE

Submitted by Leiloni Johnson, Ross University

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to attend this conference. It was an eye opening and career altering experience. The organizers of the conference, both AAEP and OEPS, were clear with their vision of wanting students to understand two simple facts. Firstly, they emphasized that it’s not what you practice that will dictate your salary but how you practice. I feel that while I was attending undergrad and even here at Ross, I was told frequently that an equine or large animal practitioner would not be a course to pursue if you ever wanted to live comfortably financially. We have all heard the stories of the large animal vets back home that are working harder than anyone in the area and still barely making ends meet. However, there are quite a few opportunities that can kick this notion to the curb. Many of the doctors at the conference mentioned that the areas that they chose to live in had a great impact on the number of clients and cases that they would see. It also had an impact on the type and quality of medicine they were able to practice. The AVMA did a survey a while back recording the salaries of new grads in their 1st year out of vet school. The results of this study are shocking in the comparison of small animal vets compared to large animal. Small animal new grads brought roughly 100,000 a year while large animal vets were around 60,000. Dr. Jackie Christakos kindly shared the flaws that arose in this study. The first problem was that the study reported only a very small number of large vets in compared to a large sample size of small animal vets. The next point that she made was that the track that most equine vets take to help kick start their career is to do an internship right out of vet school and not starting as an associate right away. As many of us know interns don’t have the salary of an associate but will be working harder to gain 3-4 years of experience right out of the gate. This internship also provided interns with mentorship that can give them the confidence and challenges to really succeed.  These interns can then proceed into practice as an associate with more experience. In this study Interns and 1-year associates were not separated thus drastically lowering the results of what a true associate in the quine workplace would make. Another excellent opportunity that was presented during the conference was the potential to increase your practice even with financial constraints in partnering with a larger business. This allows your business to have the financial support to keep up with the technology and to pay your staff what they deserve with less risk and strain on your part. It allows you to set the stress of owning and running a business on someone else’s shoulders while still being able to practice medicine the way you want. 

            The second point that was really emphasized at the conference was the necessity of a work-life balance and that it is very much obtainable. Again, an important factor was not what you practice but how you practice and the environment you create at your practice. Creating partnerships and having associates allows for a shared workload, making it possible for all parties to truly take a needed step back from work to enjoy personal time. Now this doesn’t mean that you’re never on call it just means you’re on call less. An important factor of being on call is that the phone is not a ball and chain tethering you to your home. It’s okay to go to the grocery store or out on a date even with the emergency phone in your pocket. That call you get on the phone may not be the “come in call” but simply a question of clarification, you never know. They discussed the importance of having hobbies outside of work whether that be still spending time with animals in other ways or doing the occasional underwater basket weaving. Either way it’s important to let your mind rest from the stress and allow it to recharge. Many clinics mentioned that their practices were as successful as they are due to the environment that they created as coworkers and associates. One of my favorite things that was noticeable was the comradery not only within the clinic but also their relationships with clients, trainers, farriers, and other vets. Rhoad and Rittle and Haygards, two of the top equine clinics in the country just a few miles from each other in the heart of Kentucky work side by side to provide the best care possible to the patients and promote the growth and welfare of the equine industry. A good environment with teamwork and positivity can completely flip the attitudes and morals of those working in or around it. If we looked at how far we all have come many of us will say that we wouldn’t be where we are without the support of family, friends, and mentors. That should be the goal of every practice, to truly support and lift the profession as a team in every way possible. Our world is changing in both good and bad ways, but it was said multiple times that “there is no better time to be an equine vet!” Dr. Sherry Johnson stated, “the best things happen when you take risks and put yourself out there… get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Now is the time to follow our passions and to have confidence in the understanding that we can succeed as an equine veterinarian knowing that the hard work, we put in now will lead to a full and happy career if we accept setbacks but never stop learning and growing towards our goals.

Friday
Sep012023

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: SOUTH AFRICA

Submitted by DeeAnna Berry, Texas A&M University (via IVEC)

"When I first arrived in South Africa, I was told, 'The only man I envy, is the man who has not yet been to Africa - for he has so much to look forward to.' - Richard Mullin. I did not know what to expect when our host, Dr. Gary, shared this quote. Little did I know what I had gotten myself into. From working with the strong cape buffalo to handling cheetahs, the fastest animal in the world, I know that when I share my stories with others, it may be hard for them to believe me. An experience that displayed the role of conservation medicine was the opportunity I had to work with a veterinarian on a game reserve. This property allowed guests to join the veterinarian while treating and regulating the wild animals on the reserve; this offered a great opportunity to show the community how important conservation medicine is. While we were there, we worked with a rhino, elephant, leopard, and lions. We placed tracking collars on them, attended to wounds, and applied contraceptives to avoid inbreeding within the lion population. I enjoyed these activities because they allowed me to see how these experiences moved the guests. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now holds an essential part in my education because I gained hands-on experience working with wild species, practiced pharmacological uses in the field, educated spectators, and gained confidence in my techniques.

The most memorable experience from my trip is having the privilege of working with white rhinos. Working with this species was remarkably humbling. Each time we worked with a rhino, I was reminded of what we had to take away from them to save their lives. This is because poachers will kill rhinos for their horns and sell them on the black market. One of my journeys involved traveling to a ranch hidden multiple miles off the main road. Within this ranch were dozens of young and old rhinos living in a secluded area surrounded by mountains. Seeing this property help the species survive was truly a miracle. Our job was to immobilize rhinos and dehorn them. This task required a group of people to make it possible: a veterinarian, a helicopter pilot, the anti-poaching unit, and a state representative to regulate the collection of the horns. As we dehorned these animals, I acknowledged that we were taking a piece of their identity, a horn that makes them the beautiful animals they are in the first place. Looking back on our impact at the ranch, it was a privilege to work with the rhinos, and at the same time, a burden that we had to take something so important away from them to save their lives. Therefore, we must educate others about the importance of conservation medicine and continue finding tactics to solve this problem.

In conclusion, I express my sincere gratitude for the vital financial support you provided for my participation in the Summer 2023 African Wildlife Conservation Medicine course. This experience in Johannesburg, South Africa, has left a mark on my understanding of veterinary medicine's profound role in preserving native species and fostering community engagement. Witnessing the impact of conservation medicine on the wildlife in the Limpopo province has inspired me to make a meaningful difference in my community, where I can address the needs of exotic herds while advocating for conservation practices. The opportunity to work with extraordinary creatures has provided me with remarkable stories that I will carry with me always. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support, which has enriched my education and fueled my passion for conservation medicine."

Monday
Aug212023

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: GREECE

Submitted by Valentina Poggi, University of Illinois (via IVEC)

"My name is Valentina Poggi and I am a fourth year student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. I am honored to have been chosen for an International Veterinary Experience Scholarship and would love to share with you my phenomenal experience learning veterinary medicine abroad. This past month I had the unique opportunity to attend an international externship in Rhodes, Greece for two weeks. This experience was primarily focused on shelter medicine. During the first week, I spent a majority of my time in the clinic under the supervision of Board Certified Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgeon, Dr. Clara Moran and a Board Certified Shelter Veterinarian, Dr. Loukia Agapis. My team and I were able to spay and neuter nearly 60 feral cats that were brought to us through the local capture and release program our first week in Greece. In addition to fine tuning my surgical skills I also had the opportunity to learn about the miller’s knot and I was also able to incorporate it into my routine spay procedures. In addition to the feral feline spays and neuters, I was also able to see and help with a lip commissure to eyelid transposition for repair of a feline eyelid agenesis, a canine cystotomy, a kitten evisceration repair, a chicken cloacal prolapse, and even a brachiocephalic obstructive airway surgery. The variety of surgeries I was able to witness and help with on this international experience was incredible. In addition to improving my surgical technique, I also had the opportunity to help with a suspect parvo case. This experience increased my confidence in my skills and also allowed me an opportunity to grow as a doctor. Working as the primary surgeon or clinician on my own cases allowed me to put my knowledge to the test and really allowed me to expand my knowledge. It also reminded me that asking for help and advice is something I should be prepared to do as a future practitioner. Additionally, I was forced to learn not only how to practice veterinary medicine in a different country with different expectations, language barriers, cultural customs, and different supplies. Learning about the supply constraints in Greece and working with financial constraints associated with shelter medicine was something I had not been exposed to yet. From this experience I was able to witness firsthand how the feral feline population is constantly growing in Greece. Being in Greece and helping with the capture and release program allowed me to be able to make a small dent in helping with population control and hence the welfare of these animals. 

The second week of my externship I spent at the Rhodes Animal Welfare Municipal Shelter. Greece in addition to having a large stray feline population the country also has a large stay dog population. To give you an idea of the extent, the shelter I visited was originally created to house 70 dogs but currently the shelter has nearly 300 dogs. This shelter is attempting to accommodate as many dogs as they possibly can to help alleviate any potential animal suffering. At the shelter I was able to learn from a board certified shelter veterinarian, Dr. Loukia Agapis, the importance of shelter rounds and how to appropriately screen both the dogs and their environment both effectively and efficiently. As veterinarians we take an oath – “Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.” This international experience reminded me of the oath I will shortly be taking this coming May. It reminded me that regardless of what country we as veterinarians practice in we all must live this oath. During shelter rounds, I was able to assess the animal health and welfare of nearly every kennel in the shelter. In addition to the animal health and welfare I assessed things like the cleanliness, drainage, as well as the safety of the animal’s enclosure. Thinking in this mindset reminded me the importance of assessing more than just the physical health of an animal. I also was able to practice my ability to triage patients in order to determine what order we should see each patient during our week at the shelter. Having this experience opened my eyes that there is more than one way to practice veterinary medicine and reminded me how important giving back to the local community is."

Wednesday
Aug092023

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: THAILAND

Submitted by Holly Schwarzman, Ross University

Thailand Elephant Medicine Externship - A Ton to Think About!

"Over the past spring break, I was provided the opportunity to take a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand to study elephants. This experience was planned with ZEW (Zoo, Exotics, and Wildlife) club at Ross University through Loop Aboard's externship program. This experience allowed 9 students to delve into the fascinating realm of elephant medicine. 

While on the trip we visited two sanctuaries- one was a protected contact and the other being free contact with the elephants. This gave us the opportunity to see how two different types of sanctuaries were run and how the elephants displayed different behaviors with diverse environments. 

BEES (Burm &Emily Elephant Sanctuary) was the first one we visited. This sanctuary is run in completely closed contact with the elephant. This means that tourists are to observe elephant behavior from a far and no touching of the elephants is permitted by anyone other than the veterinary team or elephant handler. We were able to do elephant hikes into the forest to see them display natural behaviors and how they interacted in a social manner. Additionally, we completed an enrichment project that provided the elephants a means of cognitive entertainment and mental stimulation. 

Ran-tong- Save and Rescue Elephant Centre was the second sanctuary we visited. This one was run much different than BEES. Ran-tong allowed for free contact with the elephants as long as the handler was nearby. Tourists were able to touch and feed the elephants and the elephants were given specific instructions by their handler on how to behave. This was a much different scenario as the free contact can be increasingly more dangerous if the elephant decides to disobey the handler. They did not allow riding of the elephants and the elephants were allowed to not participate in activities if they did not choose.

While at the sanctuary, the program allowed us as vet students to get a more in depth look at the aspects that go into elephant medicine. We were given multiple lecture series over various aspects of elephant care. Topics ranging from, husbandry, behavior, diet, physiology, anatomy, preventative care, surgery and anesthesia were some of the subjects covered. On top of the courses, we were able to do hands activities as well. We were able to do foot care, training sessions, fecal collection, blood smear analysis, intramuscular vitamin injections and I was even able to collect blood from the auricular vein!

During the two-week program, we were instructed to create a public service announcement promoting conservation and education on the issues that elephants face. With both African and Asian elephants being listed as endangered, it's important to bring awareness to this issue by sharing the knowledge we have as veterinarians with others. I was able to create an educational pamphlet on the reasons why elephant numbers are declining and what we can do to help. 

One of the major causes in the decline of the elephant populations has to do with humans- animal conflict leading to poaching, habitat loss, and illegal trading of elephant parts. This is a challenge in most areas of the world as the human population increases and encroaches on other animal’s habitats. Some ways to alleviate this conflict is to make stricter regulations on poaching and try to draw attention to the fact that we can live in harmony with the elephants. 

Creating sustainable places for tourists to visit and see/ learn about the dangers these magnificent creatures face helps to encourage more people to care about the status of elephants. Sanctuaries like the two we visited work diligently to bring this notion to light. Additionally, elephants are a keystone means and they are an essential part of the ecosystem. As their numbers dwindle it will leave a lasting impact on the human population, and the biodiversity of other species as well. 

While I learned a vast amount of information and greatly enjoyed the program overall, it really brought light to the issues many wild species are currently facing. This externship has motivated me to continue to pursue a career in the field of conservation medicine as I move through my DVM course. Hopefully one day I will be able to accomplish my goal of bringing awareness to the despite need to protect this wonderful species."