What to Expect: Volunteering at a High Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic

A wonderful question from a blog reader: 

There will be a spay/neuter clinic at the MSPCA next week that myself and some members of the pre-vet club I'm in will be attending. I've never volunteered at one of these before, but I'm excited to get involved! I know you participate in these clinics a lot, so I was wondering if you had any advice on how to prepare, what to bring, how to really get involved, etc?

And you are right, it is kinda tough your first time when you don't know what to expect! I'm sure you know, but wear scrubs, you'll probably get dirty! Things I would bring: pens (2-3), watch with a second hand for monitoring respiratory/heart rates, a stethoscope (only if you have it) if not I'm sure they will have plenty there. Bring a snack/plenty of water, these things usually provide volunteers with something, but I never rely on that just in case I bring something like a granola bar.  

As far as what to do at the clinic, first I would remember to take initiative, people will be busy and can't always give you a job, for example if you see something that could be cleaned, go ahead and do it, they will REALLY appreciate it. Try to avoid standing around if you can, get your hands dirty and ask questions. Ask if there is anything they need help with. There are many different positions they might put you guys in. Like sugery prep, monitoring during anestesia during surgery, monitoring recovery, etc. The thing to remember is that they will teach you everything you need to know to help them, they do this a lot with new volunteers. Another big thing is if you have a question, don't be afraid to ask, there are NO stupid questions especially when it comes to your and the animal's safety. 

The experience is what you make out of it! Take initiative to help/ask questions and you will learn a LOT! That's all I can think of right now, also document the volunteer hours as Veterinary hours for your vet school application! If you get a chance, introduce yourself to the vets who are volunteering at the event (obviously when they aren't busy) and thank them for their time, then tell them you are a pre-vet and see what they say, a lot of them love to talk about their pathway to veterinary school which is very helpful information first hand from someone who did it! 

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Finishing my First Year!!! And summer plans...

So I had my last freshman veterinary school class yesterday. I can't believe it's already been a year! I feel so honored to be here, so proud of myself and my classmates for getting through the first year! We can now call ourselves 1/4 doctors. The fourth years graduated today, I bet it's one of the best days of their life! 

This summer, I plan to take it easy, make some blog posts to help more prevets, and just enjoy my summer. That doesn't necessarily mean that vetmed is out of the question. I will still be working at the equine ICU this summer, I have a couple trips/camping trips planned, and I got a summer clinic (2 weeks) in neurology at UC Davis. I also have my friend's wedding in Capitola, I am so happy for her and so fortunate to be in her wedding.

I have a lot to look forward to this summer, like seeing more of my family and spending more time with them. Also hanging out with my wonderful and supportive friends. I hope the summer doesn't go by as fast as first year did, I want to relish it! 

Is there a veterinarian shortage in rural animal practice?

The US economy is suffering, this is leading to problems and saturation of the job market for recent graduates (from all types of educational background). With the rise in tuition, and decrease in available jobs, it is a scary place for anyone pursuing a college education these days, let alone financing one! 

According to the American Association of Bovine Practitioners' (AABP) Ad Hoc Committee, there is no shortage of veterinarians in rural food-supply veterinary practice! I was shocked to hear of this report, because for years, the AVMA and other veterinary organizations have stated the growing need for food animal veterinarians.

In an email from one of my colleagues, they say, " I can tell you from personal experience that jobs are very tough to find.  The class of 2011 is all but graduated, yet I would estimate that only about 50% of those who are food animal track have secured employment-and its not for lack of trying."

Their opinion is reflected in the DVM360 news article (link below): 

"In fact, creating an 'over supply' of food supply veterinarians will lead to widespread unemployment or underemployment of food-supply private practitioners and will have a significant detrimental effect on salaries for all veterinarians. 

We do not want to flood the rural practice market," Navarre says. "It will have an impact on the entire veterinary job market. If graduates can't find jobs in those areas, they are going to be competing with other students. And, we need to ask ourselves, do we really need to increase the overall number of veterinarians in general -- not just rural practitioners?"  

This is an emerging issue and a hot topic among veterinary professionals. If veterinary schools increase veterinary school class sizes, will they flood the job market with new graduates? Another issue, is their thought of increasing the amount of out of state applicants accepted to veterinary schools, this is an even more absurd idea to solve their current budget crisis. Out of state tuition is very expensive and may bring the school more revenue, but may it lead those students to go bankrupt and on top of that also be "job-less"? We really need to consider our plan for this downfall in the economy and think of other ways to solve our economic issues.  

Links to More Information:

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Report-Rural-vet-shortage-exaggerated/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/724093?contextCategoryId=47831


http://www.aabp.org/

http://www.avma.org/fsvm/fsvmc/default.asp

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=18590 

http://www.free-online-veterinarian-advice.com/new-veterinarians-face-tough-job-market.html