Experience Hours... What counts?

[Hoxydude]

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Hey peoples!

ok so what counts for experience hours? Also how far back can it go? I trained dogs in obedience and as service dogs in my freshman and sophmore years of high school ( im a senior now yay class of 2010!!!.. sry got carried away) so would those hours count? What about the time I spend with my friend's dog- he is diabetic and I help take care of him and give him his shots etc.

I just recently found out that I need a LOT of hours and I am scrambling to try and catch up. I only have 2 years to get the hours ( i am graduating high school with my AA degree.. so only 2 years until i get my bachelors). so cha im out of time...

so what counts?

 

[aspiringDVM]

Hey peoples!

ok so what counts for experience hours? Also how far back can it go? I trained dogs in obedience and as service dogs in my freshman and sophmore years of high school ( im a senior now yay class of 2010!!!.. sry got carried away) so would those hours count? What about the time I spend with my friend's dog- he is diabetic and I help take care of him and give him his shots etc.

I just recently found out that I need a LOT of hours and I am scrambling to try and catch up. I only have 2 years to get the hours ( i am graduating high school with my AA degree.. so only 2 years until i get my bachelors). so cha im out of time...

so what counts?

Hi there. It sounds like the training and obedience would probably count as animal experience. I'm guessing caring for your friend's dog would also be animal experience as well, although keeping track of your hours might be kind of dicey. Remember, vet experience is a priority over animal experience, and you'll need at least 1-2 letters of recommendation from a vet, so it would be a good idea to start shadowing or working in a clinic setting, and with a variety of animals (not just companion animal, but LA/equine/exotics etc. as well). Also, you've probably gotten this figured out already, but a bachelor's degree isn't the only prereq for applying to vet school -- you'll need to take all the specified courses for the schools you want to apply to. I don't know how schools will look at your high school/AA courses in terms of prereq completion. That would be awesome if you were able to apply two years out of high school!

ETA: point of clarification. Animal experience = time spent with animals in non-clinical setting (dog training, working at a stable, etc). Vet experience = time working under a DVM, and also some schools count research hours.

 

[cowgirla]

I took a few college courses through my high school, and a few schools aren't accepting those are pre-reqs. Just make sure you call the schools your planning on applying to and clarify that. I was stuck retaking a couple core classes after I thought I was done.

Other that that, what ^ they said.

 

[Hoxydude]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot.

Where I am living right now, none of the vets will let me shadow them because of "insurance reasons". Any suggestions about how to get around that? If I work with a vet at an animal shelter that should count correct?

 

[nohika]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot.

Where I am living right now, none of the vets will let me shadow them because of "insurance reasons". Any suggestions about how to get around that? If I work with a vet at an animal shelter that should count correct?

Yes, it would (the animal shelter question). As to the vets...apply there for jobs. Ask for volunteer/intern positions. Bug them, but not to the point they want to injure you.

 

[Hoxydude]

Kewlio. I never thought about asking for a job per-se. Thats easy enough lol. Thanks!