Another Vet Experience Question

[SaintSamson]

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So I didn't see anything that really answered my question, so I thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts on this.

In the midst of fighting to sort out my summer term schedule and fall term schedule, I've discovered that it'll be impossible to complete two on-campus courses (at different schools) and one online one, but that it'll be possible to do one on-campus and two online. One of the online courses is a very basic course (english composition... I went to a high school that was crazy about english.) So I will have more free time during my week and think it's a fantastic time to attempt to gain more experience.

My question: For shadowing a vet, is it rude/looked down upon for someone to only plan to shadow for 3 months? What's the ballpark average for length of shadowing? Do I let them know of my desired length of shadowing or let them decide or...? Lol, I work for a veterinary practice, but I've never shadowed before.
Also, I work for a private small animal hospital... I have a lot of equine experience (not equine vet experience, just animal experience) and lots of small animal experience. Should I look at LA vets? Volunteering for spay/neuter? Emergency hospitals? Something else?

 

[HopefulAg]

I wouldn't think so. 3 months is still a pretty good chunk of time. That's how long I worked for at my vet clinic (getting payed!), though I did go back each summer and christmas and work with them. And shadowing is less of a...commitment I guess, than working.

Oh and if you don't have a lot of large vet experience, I'd shadow at a large clinic if possible. But yah an emergency clinic would be good too, though perhaps harder to get into for shadowing because I'd think it'd be more hectic. Not really sure.

 

[blkjkvet]

It is very good to get a mixture of experience - be it shelter, large animal, small animal, exotic, zoo, etc. Your application will ask for animal experience, employment, and vet experience.

There are lots of posts about experience on this forum. The most recent - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=589279
lists accepted students hours of experience along with grades. I think that it will be a good start to look through. The experience really ranges and it is so important to have a good personal statement and/or interview.

 

[StillDreaming]

don't worry abour only having 3 months, just be up front and honest about it if they ask. I've known friends that only shadowed over the summer, or others or only shadowed for a week or two. You may find that you absolutely love what you get to see/do and try to shadow longer than 3 months.

It's really up to you AND the person you are shadowing. Don't be afraid to ask around. I'm sure someone out there wouldn't mind you shadowing for a couple months.

 

[Vaga70]

I agree that breadth of experience is the most important. I have ridden horses since I was six, so understand the issue of non-veterinary experience, and I think it's imperative to work with an equine vet. Although VMCAS asks for animal experience (which is good to have) they want to know that you understand how a practice runs and what the life of a vet is really like. When talking to admissions officers at the vet schools, I was told to get experience with different types of animals in different types of environments (aka farm, hospital, private practice, zoo, etc.)

As to length of time for shadowing 3 months seems like a long time. Most schools only require ~40 hours with each species. I even shadowed at one clinic for only one day!

(And i got into 4 vet schools)

 

[sumstorm]

Also, some vets prefer shorter periods of shadowing (and even less hours per week) because it does take time/energy to have you around, answer questions, etc. The vets I shadowed actually liked that I only did 8-16 hours a week with them (and I shadowed several vets at a time that way.)

 

[SaintSamson]

Thank you for all the responses!

I'm also waiting for the okay from those people higher above me that control my education and money, lol (silly situation)
I know that my coworker who is probably having a nice giggle at all my questions has been accepted into vet school, and she shadows a vet once a week and has been doing so for many months. I'd love to apply with them, but I'm not sure I can schedule my academic and work schedule around it...

I have found a repro vet that does dogs and horses that posted on a shadowing website 3 years ago. I plan to inquire as to whether they still offer shadowing opportunities. I also know a very high up equine repro veterinarian, because I visited her clinic once for a tour and went to school with her daughter and was in the same class as her son. Should I pursue these two venues or focus on exotic/emergency/wildlife venues and volunteer opportunities?