Christmas Karma

By: Scott Dudis

Cornell University, Class of 2014

Remembering perspective is, perhaps, the best way to deal with stress. As exams were wrapping up this December, I was thinking about wrapping up presents and packing a suitcase as I bragged to “less fortunate” classmates whom I knew were scheduled in the clinic on the holiday. I boasted that I would be home, with my family, enjoying my time off. Instead of surprises in the form of many glorious gifts, I was visited by the Ghost of Christmas Irony as I, too, spent several hours at the emergency animal hospital with my own dog, all night on December 25^th. In short, she apparently decided it was Santa who had left her a small box of Dove Dark Chocolate Truffles under the tree, not one of my relatives who had, in fact, accidentally left it unattended while we were all away.

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Finals and Stress

By: Stephanie Silberstang

Cornell University, Class of 2013

(Editor's note: I know the holidays are long past us, but finals never are. Just remember to take time for yourself!)

In order to deal with finals and holiday stress, I have realized that I must focus on the little things. This idea took many years to come to me, I realized it halfway through my 4-year undergraduate education. I have never been one to go home for the four week break and relax, although I always want that. Instead, I somehow manage to overbook myself with too many plans that overlap and must be executed perfectly in order to work. For example, this winter break I went skiing, visited my friend for Christmas, went to New York City for a week and took a two week trip to Honduras to learn and improve my wildlife handling skills. These activities all took place within days of each other, and although they were all relaxing as separate activities, I was continuously  thinking of the next step and planning ahead. Not to mention this whirlwind of a winter break directly followed the stress that comes with the end of every semester: finals. They require hour after hour of studying, long nights in the library, and neglect of other areas in my life that would keep me happier and healthier.

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Best Advice Essay Contest Winner

Earlier this year SAVMA's Education, Licensure and Professional Development Committee held a contest where you sent in the best advice you have received on how to get through vet school. Below we have the entry by the winner of the contest. Just remember the advice she received as the first round of spring midterms comes around the corner.

"Your Career is Not Your Life"

By: Heather Burrowes

Cornell University, Class of 2012

I clearly remember that summer before my senior year of college—peak vet school application season. I was working in overdrive, trying desperately to impress admissions committees in the final stretch before applications were due. By day I spent hours writing essays and collecting transcripts; by night I immersed myself in veterinary life, moonlighting as an assistant at a nearby emergency clinic. I was convinced that there was some magic formula to get into vet school and I was going to ensure that every variable reached its maximum potential before plugging it in to the great VMCAS application machine.

Weeks went by and I finally got around to requesting the all-important Letters of Recommendation from assorted doctors and professors. Signed, sealed and shipped off to the appropriate address, most of the letters were fairly straightforward, except for one.

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Vet2011: Ring in the New Year by Celebrating your Profession!

By: Stephanie Silberstang

Cornell University, Class of 2013

The 250^th anniversary of the veterinary education, profession, and comparative pathobiology will benext year in 2011. To celebrate World Veterinary Year, which is the purpose of Vet2011, veterinary institutions around the world will be holding events to promote the veterinary profession. The Vet2011 National Committee has proposed that all participating nations promote awareness of the profession and its many facets at the institutions’ annual event.

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New York Becomes Second State to Propose Bill Banning Tail Docking in Cattle

(This may be a little late on the news front, but still worth knowing)

By: Erin Lashnits

Cornell University, Class of 2012

A bill to prohibit tail docking in cattle was introduced in the New York State Assembly in January. 

     This ban comes on the heals of a recent report by ABC Nightline, in which a video recorded by the animal rights group Mercy for Animals showed tail docking and dehorning, as well as sick and injured cows, excessively dirty living conditions, and improper handling of cattle.  The video was recorded during an undercover investigation of a 5,000 head New York dairy farm.  The segment also included a heavily edited interview with Chris Galen, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) spokesperson, but did not show footage of other farm sources provided to ABC by Dairy Management, Inc.

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