Getting to shadow a vet

[smilin1590]

Thank God! I finally got a couple vets willing to let me shadow a day or two. It sounds as though they are not looking for anyone (even unpaid) to come in though and assist/shadow on a regular basis. I'm not positive about this but that's the way it seems. Anyhow the question is how would I go about asking if I would be able to come in more often or something like that? Would that kind of be considered rude to ask a vet something like that. I really need the hours and one day here and there would not be as beneficial as having a set day or two every week or every other week. What would you guys/gals do?

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[rileyroo]

Thank God! I finally got a couple vets willing to let me shadow a day or two. It sounds as though they are not looking for anyone (even unpaid) to come in though and assist/shadow on a regular basis. I'm not positive about this but that's the way it seems. Anyhow the question is how would I go about asking if I would be able to come in more often or something like that? Would that kind of be considered rude to ask a vet something like that. I really need the hours and one day here and there would not be as beneficial as having a set day or two every week or every other week. What would you guys/gals do?

I have had situations where vets just wanted me to come in once or twice and then others who offered to set me up a schedule once a week. if the vets don't seem interested in having someone shadow once a week, i'd be a little hesitant asking, but if you're really wanting to do it and think these vets are your only option you should definitely ask - then you'll know! congrats on finding these opportunities! i hope they work out for you!

 

[Minnerbelle]

Thank God! I finally got a couple vets willing to let me shadow a day or two. It sounds as though they are not looking for anyone (even unpaid) to come in though and assist/shadow on a regular basis. I'm not positive about this but that's the way it seems. Anyhow the question is how would I go about asking if I would be able to come in more often or something like that? Would that kind of be considered rude to ask a vet something like that. I really need the hours and one day here and there would not be as beneficial as having a set day or two every week or every other week. What would you guys/gals do?

maybe go for your first shadow day or two and see how it goes? if it seems like you're in the way (or if that's what it seems like the vet/staff thinks of you), then it's probably not worth it for you to go in any more than that. if things click, and they seem okay with the fact that you're there, or you get along great, then ask? maybe say something like "I really had a great time today and I learned a lot! I feel like there's so much for me to learn here, and I am willing to help in any way that I can (be it restocking or tidying up the office). Would it be possible for me to schedule a time to come and observe/help out once a week?"

 

[smilin1590]

Good idea minnerbelle. The one vet is super nice so I'm hoping he'll at least consider it. It's like pulling teeth here in Illinois (at least where I live) trying to find a vet who will let you shadow or assist in someway so you can get vet experience 🙁

 

[canis13]

if it seems like you're in the way (or if that's what it seems like the vet/staff thinks of you), then it's probably not worth it for you to go in any more than that.

in my experience, after shadowing a vet for close to 100 hours, it always seems like you're in the way, even after you know most of the staff and have been coming for several months and everyone says that they like you. i don't really know how you can shadow and not be "in the way", because most of the time you're just standing there and following the vet around like a fly.

so i wouldn't necessarily use that as a marker of how successful the experience has been. certainly use their attitudes towards you as a marker, but don't use the "in the way" factor, because you will feel like you're in the way.

 

[deleted266066]

in my experience, after shadowing a vet for close to 100 hours, it always seems like you're in the way, even after you know most of the staff and have been coming for several months and everyone says that they like you. i don't really know how you can shadow and not be "in the way", because most of the time you're just standing there and following the vet around like a fly.

so i wouldn't necessarily use that as a marker of how successful the experience has been. certainly use their attitudes towards you as a marker, but don't use the "in the way" factor, because you will feel like you're in the way.

I totally agree! Unless you're in a lucky situation where the vet lets you do random tech-type things for them, you're just standing around observing things over their shoulder. I imagine it must get annoying, so I am extremely grateful to any vet that allows me to pester them for a while.

Last summer I shadowed at a clinic for about 100 hours (I came in 3 times a week for about 4 hours). For the most part they didn't seem to mind me being there, and also seemed to enjoy teaching me various small things (like how to spot an arthritic knee, what certain infections look/smell like). The best thing seemed to be when I was observing surgeries, because then there were no owners in the way to worry about and the vet could talk to me directly without feeling like they were ignoring anyone. Additionally, one of the vets was more than willing to write me a rec (which I need to e-mail him about soon!), which was great.

Good luck 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

Also, when you go in, listen to what the vet wants. some won't mind you pitching in here and there, and others will be terrified of the risks. So if they say 'touch nothing' be sure to do that. You might also be able to offer to do things that aren't necessarily high priority tasks like deep cleaning in exchange for more actual shadowing time. Or if you have special skills (setting up computer stuff, putting together pamplets, etc) and you are getting along with the vet, you can offer to exchange skills. I think half the reason my last boss hired me is that I was willing and able to handle all official correspondence (not the routine stuff, but letters to clients, apartment managers, shelters, rescues, etc.) so it took a task she hated and always got behind in and made it so simple that eventually she would barely skim and sign. That also lead to a job down the road.

 

[Bearby]

in my experience, after shadowing a vet for close to 100 hours, it always seems like you're in the way, even after you know most of the staff and have been coming for several months and everyone says that they like you. i don't really know how you can shadow and not be "in the way", because most of the time you're just standing there and following the vet around like a fly.

so i wouldn't necessarily use that as a marker of how successful the experience has been. certainly use their attitudes towards you as a marker, but don't use the "in the way" factor, because you will feel like you're in the way.

I think that there's a way to shadow a vet without being a shadow and just following the vet around all the time. Of course you want to observe the medical aspects, but in most practices there are times when the vet is not with patients. You don't want to just be standing around so help out where you can. Help with laundry (always needs to be done), find out if one of the techs can show you how to wrap packs and teach you about the autoclave or other equipment, CLEAN! At first it's always going to feel like you're in the way, but if you make it known that you're willing to help out the staff as well, you'll be much more comfortable. I was shadowing/volunteering at a clinic for a few months before I got hired and I spent a significant amount of my time not following the vet around like a puppy.

 

[smilin1590]

All great ideas. I always love getting other peoples perspective on this stuff. I will try my best. I hope it all works out because I really need to get vet experience not only for my apps but for my own benefit and interest. It gets really depressing when you call, stop in, send resumes, and still you can't get anything. So hopefully one of these clinics works out for me 🙂

 

[rileyroo]

All great ideas. I always love getting other peoples perspective on this stuff. I will try my best. I hope it all works out because I really need to get vet experience not only for my apps but for my own benefit and interest. It gets really depressing when you call, stop in, send resumes, and still you can't get anything. So hopefully one of these clinics works out for me 🙂

i started off with a great vet who let me come in twice a week for the summer but after that experience i had a really difficult time finding another one. i am finally with an incredible vet - i never thought i could have found an opportunity like this. so even if you struggle and have a difficult time, i'm sure you'll eventually find the right fit. try not to be discouraged!

 

[Minnerbelle]

in my experience, after shadowing a vet for close to 100 hours, it always seems like you're in the way, even after you know most of the staff and have been coming for several months and everyone says that they like you. i don't really know how you can shadow and not be "in the way", because most of the time you're just standing there and following the vet around like a fly.

Good call! yes of course you yourself will feel like you're in the way (i mean, i guess that's pretty much the definition of shadowing), but i meant more how you're being treated. If it seems like the vet minds and is merely putting up with you just for a couple of days... then I don't think it's a good idea to ask.

 

[luplodw]

I've never had a problem finding a vet to shadow. I've shadowed at 4 vet clinics over the years. At 3 of the vet clinics, I basically worked there...just without getting paid. I was able to assist in surgeries, give shots, hold dogs and lots of other stuff. That was a huge risk for the vets to let me take such a huge role without being employed so that was awesome to get to do that. At the other vet clinic where I shadowed, I wasn't allowed to do anything. I was fine with just watching, but it got boring while the vet wasn't busy. I offered to do things like clean, but they wouldn't even let me do that!! I could only stand and watch. And the worst thing was that I was watching a cat get euthanized and as the doctor stuck the needle in for the anesthetic, the cat jumped off the table and bit me. Out of all the places I worked...it had to happen there! Grrrr.. The main vet there was SO pissed. I felt terrible, but it wasn't my fault!! So anyway, it all depends on the vet you work for. Ask nicely to help, but if they don't want you to, then just do what they tell you!!

 

[badcats]

I will second the cleaning/ doing odd jobs. I shadowed a vet this summer where it is only him and his tech, and both said that they appreciated having someone who was willing to help out instead of just standing around and I felt better when I actually did something productive.
Actually I find it hard to believe that some people just stand there and watch other people work, but maybe that is just me.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I will second the cleaning/ doing odd jobs. I shadowed a vet this summer where it is only him and his tech, and both said that they appreciated having someone who was willing to help out instead of just standing around and I felt better when I actually did something productive.
Actually I find it hard to believe that some people just stand there and watch other people work, but maybe that is just me.

But be careful about being too insistent (is that a word?) on helping. There's nothing more annoying than someone going "ooh, can I help, what can i do to help, tell me what I can do to help. so what do you want me to do?" when you're concentrating on something and don't want to be babysitting. even explaining where cleaning solution/clean rags/dirty rags are, and what surfaces to clean with what is a bit of a distraction when you're trying to get something done. when there's nothing to have someone do... it takes a LOT of mental energy to come up with something sometimes. it also makes the other person feel bad to refuse help more than once and try to explain why.

 

[badcats]

True. I guess as with everything balance is key.

 

[Bearby]

But be careful about being too insistent (is that a word?) on helping. There's nothing more annoying than someone going "ooh, can I help, what can i do to help, tell me what I can do to help. so what do you want me to do?" when you're concentrating on something and don't want to be babysitting. even explaining where cleaning solution/clean rags/dirty rags are, and what surfaces to clean with what is a bit of a distraction when you're trying to get something done. when there's nothing to have someone do... it takes a LOT of mental energy to come up with something sometimes. it also makes the other person feel bad to refuse help more than once and try to explain why.

I agree that it's annoying when someone keeps asking you what they can do. However, I find it equally as annoying to be working hard all day every day and seeing one person who never seems to be doing anything. I had that issue at the place I'm working now where a new employee was always just staring at the appointment schedule. I went out of my way to find things for him to do (even though it wasn't not my job to hold his hand) just to keep me from going crazy.

Once you're in a facility for a little while, you start to pick up on how things are done. Don't be afraid to ask questions and offer to help, but don't overdo it. Observe others and take notes, it lets people know that you're making an effort to learn. You don't have to assist the techs during down time, if reception needs help filing or calling over to other clinics to get history or something like that, they're usually a lot busier than the rest of the clinic thinks.

Does your state only allow CVT's? I live in Florida and they don't. If it's possible for you to get hired, showing that you're motivated, that you have a good attitude, and that you don't mind getting dirty are going to help you go from shadow to employee.

 

[canis13]

As someone else said - often it's not possible for you to do much hands on stuff while shadowing. When I shadowed, I was not a paid employee, and thus a liability if I were to get injured on the job.
I finally got hired to work at the clinic after 9 months of shadowing, but it was only because a vet assistant quit unexpectedly and I was already somewhat familiar with the staff and the clinic. I hoped the job offer would've come 6 months earlier, but late is better than never. I think it's often times unrealistic to expect a job to come out of shadowing for a couple weeks. It can happen, but not always. The job market is not great, and if you're in school and can't work full time, it's often not the best economic choice for clinics to hire someone who can only work 20 hours a week.

And finally, as Minnerbelle said, it certainly takes time out of the tech's already busy schedule to show someone how to do laundry, work the autoclave (there are so many different instruments and packs to learn and recognize!), etc. I offered to help with laundry once while I was shadowing, and they just said "no, don't worry about it, you don't work here." As I shadowed for longer, the vet started letting me help out more and more with tiny things (restraining, drawing up vaccines, counting pills, grabbing the kitty scale from the back, etc.), but yeah, I wasn't a paid employee. It is a nicer feeling to actually be productive, but sometimes that isn't possible given the circumstances.

 

[Rosekiki]

in my experience, shadowing a vet could be nerve racking or fun, depending on the vet's personality and the technicians/interns around you. if you're afraid to be in the way, just make sure you keep yourself busy by always asking the techs and vets "is there anything I can help you with?", or find things to clean or stock.

ask questions! show the vets that you want to learn. be honest about what you don't know, instead of pretending that you know the terms.

 

[aspiringDVM]

in my experience, shadowing a vet could be nerve racking or fun, depending on the vet's personality and the technicians/interns around you.

Very true. It can also be really challenging to switch between vets and clinics with different expectations and personalities. I started shadowing a different equine vet this summer, and she was getting supplies to vaccinate half a dozen horses. I started pulling up the vaccines that she had layed out and promptly got my head bitten clean off. At first I was absolutely dumbfounded -- in my previous work experiences I had been responsible for administering injections myself, so I was shocked when I was told in no uncertain terms not to even touch a bottle or syringe. However, once I figured out what the vet wanted me to do, things worked out okay (and eventually I graduated to drawing up the vaccines, and she even let me temp a 25 year old pony one day ). Moral of the story: different people have different expectations and things they're comfortable with letting you do, so don't make assumptions, try not to get your feelings hurt, and learn something from everyone you meet.