I've been shadowing/volunteering at a vet hospital for the past 6 weeks (and been loving every second of it).
During my shift yesterday, I saw something most unusual: A 10 year old girl was invited to assist in surgery on her dog.
The veterinarian (also the owner the the hospital) invited her after telling him her aspirations to become a vet and how enthusiastic she was of the field. It wasn't the first time she was invited to help out for treatments and exams, but it was her first operation. Her whole family was watching.
I thought she'd pass out (many high school students / PreVets pass out in their first surgery, myself included). and treat this as somewhat of a farce. A vet assistant was ready to help out, should something happen. However, the kid was shockingly mature, treated the staff with great respect, was incredibly smart, and was very attentive to the instructions of the vet throughout the operation. Also, much to my utter surprise, she didn't faint (it wasn't exactly the most graphic surgery, but still impressive for her age). She didn't have much to do other than holding an instrument throughout the operation, but she greatly enjoyed the experience and was very grateful. She was invited to return for future treatments and surgeries, as long as she keeps doing well in school, and the patient is a pet of her family's.
The vet's reasoning for allowing her to assist is that he had a very similar experience when he was 11. This is what made him decide that veterinary medicine was the right career for him. He believes any kid with a passion and enthusiasm for the field should have such an experience, and more vets should share his philosophy. He's invited dozens of kids throughout his career to help out in treatments and exams, and almost all of them became vets and vet technicians.
I admittedly underestimated the little girl. After seeing the look of satisfaction on her face, I think I'm starting to agree with the vet on this. I'm not quite sure about allowing a fifth grader to scrub in and help out in an operation, but at least I can understand where he's coming from.
I'm curious to know: Did you ever witness something similar? Also, when you become vets, would you let kids between the age of 9 and 13 help out in treatments?
During my shift yesterday, I saw something most unusual: A 10 year old girl was invited to assist in surgery on her dog.
The veterinarian (also the owner the the hospital) invited her after telling him her aspirations to become a vet and how enthusiastic she was of the field. It wasn't the first time she was invited to help out for treatments and exams, but it was her first operation. Her whole family was watching.
I thought she'd pass out (many high school students / PreVets pass out in their first surgery, myself included). and treat this as somewhat of a farce. A vet assistant was ready to help out, should something happen. However, the kid was shockingly mature, treated the staff with great respect, was incredibly smart, and was very attentive to the instructions of the vet throughout the operation. Also, much to my utter surprise, she didn't faint (it wasn't exactly the most graphic surgery, but still impressive for her age). She didn't have much to do other than holding an instrument throughout the operation, but she greatly enjoyed the experience and was very grateful. She was invited to return for future treatments and surgeries, as long as she keeps doing well in school, and the patient is a pet of her family's.
The vet's reasoning for allowing her to assist is that he had a very similar experience when he was 11. This is what made him decide that veterinary medicine was the right career for him. He believes any kid with a passion and enthusiasm for the field should have such an experience, and more vets should share his philosophy. He's invited dozens of kids throughout his career to help out in treatments and exams, and almost all of them became vets and vet technicians.
I admittedly underestimated the little girl. After seeing the look of satisfaction on her face, I think I'm starting to agree with the vet on this. I'm not quite sure about allowing a fifth grader to scrub in and help out in an operation, but at least I can understand where he's coming from.
I'm curious to know: Did you ever witness something similar? Also, when you become vets, would you let kids between the age of 9 and 13 help out in treatments?
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