Advice on Personal Statement, practicing out of scope of my field)

[alio]

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I needed some advice on my personal statement. I am a licensed acupuncturist and have my Master in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I was going to write in my personal statement something along the lines of rescuing my dog about 5 years ago. I was on my last year of my Master's program, and my dog had Vestibular Disease. Doctors told me really nothing we can do, it just needs to pass. I had no idea you could do acupuncture on animals and a friend suggested that. So I did it and 3 days after, she was all better. With that being said, since animals are not in my scope of practice, will the schools look down on me for doing that? Any thoughts?
I have asked the director of my prevet program and he said it is okay if you treat your own dog, and if you do not get paid. I just need some other people's input on this.

 

[onisteverina]

Can't vestibular disease resolve itself in that amount of time? I would maybe talk about how the experience of helping an ill pet helped you to decide to pursue vet med.. but maybe not use the wording that implies the acupuncture is what fixed it. I don't really know what to say about you doing it yourself or how schools will perceive that..

 

[MooVet]

Vestibular disease can begin to resolve on its own in as little as 72 hours, so I don't think claiming that you cured your dog in your personal statement would be wise.

It's iffy no matter how you look at it. It's not illegal for you to practice medicine as long as you're not getting paid for it, but that doesn't mean it's okay. Veterinarians generally try to discourage clients from attempting their own "treatments" at home without consulting a vet first. Your case turned out well, but there are many more cases that don't. An adcom may see it as a little bit of a liability risk taking on someone who might encourage others to take medical matters into their own untrained hands. I think it's best if you find a different experience to discuss.

 

[alio]

Thank you for your input. I was not trying to imply that I "cured" her by any means, I guess I should have reworded it. But I had not idea that you could do acupuncture on animals so I think that is what inspired me to take this route. I think I should gear my statement towards that instead.

 

[that redhead]

I agree with the other posters, but perhaps you could say that your dog experienced this problem and someone suggested acupuncture, which led you to look into veterinary acupuncture and cultivated your interest in vet med. I wouldn't say that you treated your own pet, but you can still discuss the concept (learning more about vet med and topics in it that interest you).

 

[Gemgrrrl]

I think it's fine to talk about the experience, but I would position it so that it's more about what learned from the experience and how that makes you a better candidate. If you're not careful it has the potentially come off as "the doctors were wrong, and I knew better". I also agree with what MooVet said. Maybe talk about how your dog's illness inspired your interest in veterinary medicine, vs how you treated your dogs illness.

I also think it's great that you have a holistic modality in your background. But I would be careful to position in a way that shows that you feel it is a good complement to Western medicine, not a replacement for it. Talk about the ways in which your training makes you a good candidate, and will enhance your abilities as a veterinarian.

Good luck!

 

[DVMDream]

It's not illegal for you to practice medicine as long as you're not getting paid for it, but that doesn't mean it's okay.

I am rather certain this is not true. It is illegal to practice medicine without a license, I do believe that is regardless on if you are making a profit off of it or not. It is illegal for vet students to do certain procedures as well before a specific time in their training depending upon each states' laws and regulations.

 

[StartingoverVet]

I agree with the other posters, but perhaps you could say that your dog experienced this problem and someone suggested acupuncture, which led you to look into veterinary acupuncture and cultivated your interest in vet med. I wouldn't say that you treated your own pet, but you can still discuss the concept (learning more about vet med and topics in it that interest you).

this is well stated.

There are veterinary accupuncturists so it is ok if you want to pursue this,
but mostly your PS should show you how the experience got you more interested in MEDICINE in general .

The way you stated it upfront sounded like you think you cured your dog.... definitely avoid that.