Veterinarians are OVERPAID? I think not...

I recently read an article on Salary.com titled, "The 8 most overpaid & underpaid jobs". The article compares several profession's salaries and how they are either overpaid or underpaid. The author, Dawn Dugan, even states: 

"In this article I’ll compare eight overpaid jobs with eight underpaid jobs. My methodology? None. I realize that some jobs require a certain level of training and education, while others are merely the victims of supply and demand. While I feel that all the jobs on this list have merit, they simply represent -- in my humble opinion -- jobs that are paid more or less than they are worth given day-to-day responsibilities and duties."

Let me just start by saying I did not seek out this article, but saw it posted on Facebook by a friend. The statements this woman makes are extremely inaccurate. I want to focus mainly on her comparison of Pest Controllers and "Research" Veterinarians. You can see the article by clicking on the hyperlink:

  
http://www.salary.com/the-8-most-overpaid-underpaid-jobs/slide/2/

I don't know how articles like this are written in the first place, especially with no foundational facts or previous field experience. This woman has absolutely no idea what it is like to be a research veterinarian, so what gives her the right to voice her opinion on something she has absolutely no knowledge about? She also has no idea what a veterinarian does all day from her statement: 

"...Veterinarians, for the most part, work in clean, well-lit environments with domesticated animals. While they may be on call for emergencies, their hours are relatively predictable and the pay is above average as well."

I'm sorry Mrs. Dugan, but first of all, veterinarians differ from "Research Veterinarians". They have go through a lot more education than your average veterinarian. 

Research veterinarians are not overpaid...nor are your average veterinarians! Your article is very fallacious. A lot of research veterinarians work with food animals and other large animals like horses, you tell me if that is a "clean, well-lit work environment with predictable hours" - I think NOT. Having been part of a research team myself. A lot of the studies we do are for people using an animal model. That's pretty valuable don't you think? Not to mention that "Veterinary Researchers" go to school for 4 years of undergraduate, four years of veterinary school AND four years of a Doctorate program - some even complete Residencies! Can you add up all those loans? That's a pretty measly salary for 12+ years of your LIFE!

Mrs. Dugan has a B.A. in English/Writing from St. Lawrence University. You'd think she would research the facts before writing and judging any profession or providing her very own "professional" opinion. Salary.com should be ashamed of this article and it's fallacious statements.

Starting My Third Year of Veterinary School

Photo Credit

It's that time of year again, long before the rest of UC Davis begins, the last of the old veterinary school curriculum begins their daily pilgrimages to school. (Although the 1st and 2nd year students started weeks before us cause they are on the semester system). 

This time instead of having lecture in the new and fancy Gladys Valley Hall, we have the majority of our lectures in Schalm 170, the dark and uncomfortable classroom from the early 80's? Yeah, you could say we were spoiled as first and second years, but we're at the peak of our curriculum, less than a year away from beginning our clinical year in the VMTH. We're the last of the old curriculum and yes, we are thankful for our electives!

I'm halfway through veterinary school and man, how time has passed me by! I've done a lot in my short while here, and it's all been worthwhile. 

This quarter, I'm taking both equine and small animal medicine courses and a mirage of electives, such as equine reproduction, large animal toxicology, & small animal radiology case discussions. Our core classes include ophthalmology, neurology, orthopedics, doctoring and surgery! 

Yes, we are starting our surgery courses! That means we get to perform our first surgeries this quarter! This is both exciting and scary. I'm lucky to have such amazing faculty to help me through the process and did I mention the best surgery team? 

Third year is off, my first exam is this weekend, and then one next week (wow...exams in the third week of school! That's a nice change! ;). Haven't even tried to make an exam count for the entire quarter yet, but I know there are a few in each class. 

Volunteering for RVETS - Life Lessons

The Veterinary Team

What an amazing end to my summer! A trip to Northern California with RVETS (Rural Veterinary Experience & Training Services). I learned so much from Dr. Davis and Cindy! They are such humble and patient people and amazing teachers with a passion and a talent for the work they do. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with them and learned so much and got to do so much to help animals in need.

"Gelding Clinic"

On Friday, August 24th, we left the Davis campus following the RVETS bus headed for SAFER equine rescue in Sonoma, CA to castrate a horse. 

Then we traveled to Covelo, CA (which for those who don't know is roughly north of Willets about an hour near Round Valley. We set up our small animal equipment that night and made sure everything was prepared for the next 2 day small animal clinic. Most of our procedures were spays and neuters while we also did two Etropians, a facial mass removal and a retrieved a fox tail from a dog's ear! 

That Monday morning we traveled to Kettenpom to do a horse clinic (plus a cat spay and a dog neuter). We did some equine dentals, castrations, and a hernia surgery. After a lot of driving on a dirt/gravel road we arrived to a paved road that took us to Red Bluff, CA where we had another gelding clinic. By this time, we were getting good at setting everything up and knocking out those castrations! After a half day, we headed back to Davis which would be our home base for the next couple of clinic days.

I'm castrating a MINI MULE !

Monitoring Anesthesia on a mini horse

Our first two days we worked out in North Highlands area and castrated roughly 32 horses and did a couple of hernia repairs over those 2 days! On our last day, we worked out of a barn in El Dorado, CA...that's right, my home town! It was so neat to be able to do veterinary work in my hometown for rescue groups that needed the services RVETS provides. Of course I ran into someone I knew! Reflecting on my week volunteering with RVETS, I wouldn't change anything about the experience, it was truly amazing! It was hard work and a lot of missed sleep, but I love working hard, and have a passion for learning!   

 http://www.r-vets.org/