PDF Scholarship Experience: Zachary Schmauch

PDF Scholarship Experience: Zachary Schmauch

During my clinical year at Ohio State University I was able visit VCA University Animal Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii to complete my last externship before graduation. With the help of the PDF scholarship from the SAVMA board I was able to afford this opportunity. VCA university hospital is a very hands-on general practice. There were two doctors on shift at a time, with one doing surgeries while the other doctor would be seeing appointments and the occasional emergency. The entire team at VCA University Animal Hospital were all very welcoming and really loved to teach me while I was there. Even the technicians were constantly helping me with ways to improve my blood draws and catheter placements and encouraged me to keep trying if I was having trouble. Being able to see the different kinds of cases in Hawaii versus somewhere I am used to like Ohio was very interesting. While I was discussing cases and treatment options with the doctors, it made me realize I had to sit back and think of different options that they carry in hospital. For example, they do not have the tick that carries Lyme disease on the island, and so therefore prescribe their patients with different flea and tick preventatives. A few months ago I completed an externship at a specialty dental clinical in Florida. This VCA externship was very heavy on their dentistry and had procedures every day. It was perfect for me to apply the skills and knowledge I learned at my previous externship and really feel confident in that area. I had such an awesome experience during this externship and being able to travel and work in Hawaii for two weeks was the best ending to veterinary school I could have asked for.

Making a Paw-sitive Impact

Making A Paw-sitive Impact 

Marissa Robertson | Western University of Health Sciences, DVM Class of 2023

I – like most vet students – got into veterinary medicine because I am passionate about helping animals.  Over the past few years, I have become increasingly aware of the need for accessible veterinary care.  There are significant gaps in services throughout our country, and many communities have pets that they love dearly but can’t afford to take them to the vet for basic care.  Ever since I was an undergrad, I have continually sought out opportunities to volunteer at events that help provide much needed veterinary care to underserved communities.  When I began vet school, that goal didn’t change, and an amazing opportunity fell into my lap – or, rather, into my inbox. 

One afternoon I was shuffling through the seemingly endless number of emails in my inbox when I came across a call for volunteers.  The SCVMA was partnering with Downtown Dog Rescue to host a free clinic in an underserved community in Los Angeles.  I immediately signed up, but little did I know that I was signing up to be part of such an amazing team of people.  In the fall of 2019, as a timid first-year veterinary student, I attended my first Community Clinic event.  Owners lined up around the block with all of their pets in tow.  The clinic provided free vaccines, deworming medication, flea prevention, microchipping, grooming services, and even spay and neuter surgeries.  Additionally, the team of volunteers took the opportunity to connect with and educate the clients.  I was astounded at the number of pets we were able to provide care for, and by the end of the day I was filled with joy knowing we made a difference in that community.  Since that day, I have continued to volunteer every month at their clinic. 

Click to read more ...

Experiences: A Week Spent in a Dark Room

A Week Spent in a Dark Room

Lauren Bynum, Texas A&M University 

This past year, I’ve been struggling with what I want to be when I grow up – a general practice veterinarian or a veterinary radiologist? I loved the diagnostic imaging course I took this spring; every radiograph felt like a puzzle I got to solve. However, I’ve also loved the experiences I’ve had working in general practice getting to know and educate families about the critters they love so much. I figured the only way to make an educated decision was to learn what being a veterinary radiologist actually entails, especially because as an extrovert, I wasn’t sure if I would be cut out to stare at a screen alone in a dark room all day.

The first week of summer after completing second year, I was lucky enough to be accepted as an extern in the Diagnostic Imaging department at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, Texas. I was determined to see if diagnostic imaging really was for me. One of the first things I learned about veterinary radiology is that you’re not alone in the dark room! At GCVS anyway, there are many other radiologists, interns, and residents all in the same room, all consulting for each other and sharing interesting cases so that a learning experience for one becomes a learning experience for all. Radiology is a team effort, and even when you’re writing a report alone, you’re still working with a referring veterinarian, providing valuable information to help them determine the best path forward for the patient in question.

Click to read more ...

Experience: World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association CertAqV Program

Category: Experiences

By: Elizabeth St. Germaine, Western University of Health Sciences

My name is Elizabeth St. Germaine, and I am a 4^th year veterinary student at Western University of Health Sciences. I recently applied to the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association Certified Aquatic Veterinarian (CertAqV) Credentialing Program.  The program seeks to identify veterinarians that have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to practice aquatic veterinary medicine. Educational opportunities outside of the classroom are crucial for success in the aquatic veterinary medicine field and I have participated in several throughout veterinary school.

In applying for certification, I’ve demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience (KSE) in 9 categories: 1) aquatic environment and life support systems, 2) taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology, 3) husbandry and industries, 4) pathobiology and epidemiology of aquatic animal diseases, 5) diagnostics and treatment of aquatic animal diseases, 6) clinical veterinary experience and client communications, 7) public health, zoonotic and seafood safety, 8) legislation, regulations and policies, and 9) principles of aquatic animal welfare. I have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience by participating in AQUAVET® I and III, volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and attending fourth year externships at aquariums (Georgia, Mystic, and Shedd).

As a CertAqV I will serve as a mentor to students that are eager to gain certification through the program. I am looking forward to the opportunity to mentor, continue my education, and advocate for the field of aquatic veterinary medicine. Please feel free to reach out to me via email (ElizabethSt.GermaineDVM@gmail.com) if you have any questions about the program, are searching for a mentor, or about any of my aquatic experiences.

Elizabeth St. Germaine

Western University of Health Science

College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2021

Giraffes and Camels and Rhinos, Oh My!

Externship at the Abilene Zoo

Written by: Ellen Nasser, Oklahoma State University 

I did a 2 week externship at the Abilene Zoo in November. I have a huge admiration for zoo veterinarians. They have to know a ton about all kinds of species. However, it was neat being able to apply what we know from small and large animals to zoo med. One of their newborn baby giraffes was not nursing, leading to failure of passive transfer. The vet said we will treat her like a baby calf. We calculated how much plasma she would need and got a jugular catheter in. She is doing great now! Acclimating well in their giraffe herd. Amongst giraffes, I was able to treat a variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals. The vet was very hands on with the students. She let us draw blood, perform necropsies, read blood smears, and lots more. The vet also took us on a photo-op tour on my last day where I was able to feed various animals.  Surprisingly the camels were some of my favorites! They have a pair of sisters that have quite the personalities. This is one of my favorite externships for sure!