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! 

http://www.innocentenglish.com/funny-amazing-pictures-videos/cute-kitten-puppy-animal-pics/caption-cute-kitten/caption-this-cute-kitten-pic-1.html

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

Veterinary Students save German Shepherd!

We have enough money for Bogart's surgery now! They raised the $4,600!!! Thanks to all the donors/students that contributed! 

Davis, CA - The following story highlights the best of humanity. A dog named Bogart was taken from the Sacramento City shelter to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

The dog was to be neutered by a member of the class of 2012 - but while he was at the school, the students discovered that he was suffering from pain in his hips.

An exam and radiographs revealed the sad truth - Bogart was suffering from severe hip dypslasia....

Hip replacement surgery is very expensive - when the city shelter learned of Bogart's disease, he was put on the euthanasia list for the following week.

But the students at UC Davis weren't about to let that happen - the surgeon that performed his neutering surgery - a student from the class of 2012 - rushed to the shelter and adopted him.

Now, the UC Davis students are raising funds to pay for Bogart's surgery - which of course, will be performed at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Today, May 11, the students are throwing a luau to help raise funds for his surgery.

Bogart is going to get what he needs to feel good once again - these students rallied together to literally save his life. These are the young adults that we need and want out in the professional work force - caring and compassionate individuals that rise up when needed.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Veterinary students rally to save German shepherd - National German Shepherd | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/german-shepherd-in-national/veterinary-students-rally-to-save-german-shepherd#ixzz1NWWh9PLR

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Charging for Student Facility Use

Since when did public universities start charging their students in excess of tuition for use of public educational facilities for educational professional events? 

Well the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has resulted to that in this economic time, faced with  a $500 million cut — or more — from state funding.

Here is the official letter that veterinary students received from the administration. 

Here is my response to administration:

As a veterinary student at UC Davis SVM, I have greatly benefited from the symposiums, seminars, and events held in the veterinary school facilities. I feel that charging a fee for future facility use will decrease the ability for students and doctors to gain future access to knowledge. As it is with the economy the way it is, clubs are already having difficulty funding club events, seminars, etc. If this new "fee" is implemented it will only further inhibit clubs and organizations to offer such valuable events for the veterinary community. I feel as though we pay for tuition, which includes facility use. Inhibiting us from utilizing our own facilities by charging a fee that some clubs may not be able to afford is ludicrous. I understand the need for clean-up after events and building repair, however with any amount of use, the buildings will inevitably need repair regardless of facility use by seminars, symposiums, etc. I feel if the concern is more about clean up after events, then why not charge a deposit and give detailed cleaning instructions and expectations and if those are met following an event, return the deposit to the club or organization hosting the event. The value gained through these educational experiences (club symposiums, events, etc) more than outweighs any amount the university would receive for charging these fees and I feel as though access to adequate facilities and higher educational opportunities should always be included in a graduate (professional) college experience. I know that many clubs thrive just by the events they are able to host at the veterinary school so that they can earn money to fund future club events and educational opportunities to club members. If a fee were imposed, especially a fee of $80/hour per room per HOUR, I think it would be unlikely clubs would be able to host events at the UC Davis Veterinary School campus. I chose to go to UC Davis because they offered such invaluable learning opportunities AT their very own veterinary school.

Also, the bit about the buildings being in use for 10-12 hours seven days a week is fallacious. This is not the case for ANY of the instructional classrooms. I have been in homeroom on weekends to print things or study or even to check my mailbox and the entire valley hall is almost vacant except for an occasional student who is also studying in the facilities they pay tuition to use.

I feel these "fees" for facility use are a detriment to my education and I am insulted that the university would jeopardize the career we are entering into  which thrives on collaboration, the pursuit of knowledge, and the heart of the true meaning of the veterinary community.

After my letter was received, I met with the administration on several occasions to discuss this issue and was told there was nothing I could do. So I wrote an article in the school paper addressing the similar arguments in my letter to the administration. Many students feel powerless under the eyes of the administration, or I believe they are too busy to really even fight for student facility use. I do believe they care, but feel that there is nothing we can do as students. Some students haven't even heard about it and are shocked when they learn about it.

This is OUR veterinary school, we sure pay a hefty amount of tuition to go to this school, we should be able to fully appreciate the benefits of our professional education, which undoubtedly includes facility use.  
 

In the UC Davis Guide for Prospective Students I found this statement, "Since 2004 the school has completed six new buildings, including a teaching laboratory, a two-story classroom complex and a five-story multipurpose facility as part of a $354 million long-range facilities plan to modernize infrastructure and provide the best learning environment for students. School officials continue to develop public and private support for programs and facilities that will help to meet California’s growing need for veterinarians." 


I believe these facilities should provide the best learning environment for students and students should have unlimited access to use of those facilities.

I hope that veterinary students understand that WE do have the ability to stand up against our administration on such prevalent issues. If you have any comments/suggestions/ideas please feel free to comment. I am wondering if other veterinary schools in US have similar costs associated with hosting symposiums and CE events. 


Thank You for reading

LINK: http://campus-care.ucdavis.edu/facilities-management/who-pays-for-maintenance.shtml

Live Your Passion as an Equine Veterinarian

Video about the profession from the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practioners)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl8hxCLPGqM

Class of 2015 Admission Statistics