RAVE HERE thread

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Jennifer Larsen (nutrition)

Apparently I picked the right person to cold call by email three and a half years ago!
Yeah she's super nice! She taught us once or maybe a dozen times I can't remember but I remember she was funny. That counts right? Lol you'll be great I can already tell. Sucky situation but you still totally got this and will be so awesome!
 
Yeah she's super nice! She taught us once or maybe a dozen times I can't remember but I remember she was funny. That counts right? Lol you'll be great I can already tell. Sucky situation but you still totally got this and will be so awesome!
That totally counts! We've been talking since October 2015 and she's been really encouraging and helpful. Even after my 2 year leave of absence where I went silent, when I emailed her and was like "you probably don't remember me, but I'm back and still really want to do this" she was immediately like "that's awesome, what's your new timeline so we can make it work?" Seems like she must love to mentor and teach, which obviously works in my favour. She's also been encouraging me all along to get involved in the nutrition discussions on VIN. I'm like "whoa... I don't even have a DVM yet!" but it feels awesome that she apparently thinks I have something valuable to contribute!

As far as my situation, now that the initial sting has worn off I can see that there are reasons why this is the best choice... even better than being promoted and going on to fourth year. Things work out, just not always in the way we think they will.

Thank you for the support! I may be taking the scenic route but I'll get to where I'm going, and there'll be a DVM waiting for me when I do! (and hopefully eventually a DACVN, but one thing at a time...)
 
Took a walkabout and saw plenty of birds enjoying the sunshine.

Is the grey bird a "heron?" It wouldn't let me get close enough to get a better photo.

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I just got a tetanus booster and it didn’t hurt at all and I’m so proud of myself

Context: I’ve been HUGELY phobic of needles since I was ~13 and in the last year I’ve made a lot of progress with it. I used to kick/scream/cry/pass out for even a flu shot. I was so zen getting this shot and because of it i didn’t even feel it. When I used to be so tense, it made the vaccine so painful.

This is a really big deal you guys [emoji23]
 
I just got a tetanus booster and it didn’t hurt at all and I’m so proud of myself

Context: I’ve been HUGELY phobic of needles since I was ~13 and in the last year I’ve made a lot of progress with it. I used to kick/scream/cry/pass out for even a flu shot. I was so zen getting this shot and because of it i didn’t even feel it. When I used to be so tense, it made the vaccine so painful.

This is a really big deal you guys [emoji23]
So happy for you! Not to ruin the moment but the day after the shot was the worst for me, leads to a very sore arm!
 
So happy for you! Not to ruin the moment but the day after the shot was the worst for me, leads to a very sore arm!
lol i know it'll probably be sore still. but honestly usually getting the shot has hurt more than the delayed soreness just because they have been injecting something into a fully tensed muscle and it's terrrrrrrible
 
lol i know it'll probably be sore still. but honestly usually getting the shot has hurt more than the delayed soreness just because they have been injecting something into a fully tensed muscle and it's terrrrrrrible
I'm super good about shots (like even as an infant they could give them to me and I wouldn't react at all) but I still look away when they're giving them because I find that I preemptively tense right before the needle goes in and it makes it hurt more than necessary. I definitely don't tense as much as someone who is scared of needles, but even that little bit makes a difference!

Actually I got poked three times last week for my rabies titers because they couldn't find a vein lol. And I'll probably get poked some more this Friday when I'm in for a different appointment. Such are the indignities of looking after your health.
 
I'm super good about shots (like even as an infant they could give them to me and I wouldn't react at all) but I still look away when they're giving them because I find that I preemptively tense right before the needle goes in and it makes it hurt more than necessary. I definitely don't tense as much as someone who is scared of needles, but even that little bit makes a difference!

Actually I got poked three times last week for my rabies titers because they couldn't find a vein lol. And I'll probably get poked some more this Friday when I'm in for a different appointment. Such are the indignities of looking after your health.
I don't mind them either except agree about looking away.
I used to donate blood until I nearly passed out at work afterwards. Now I'm hesitant to do it again.
 
Since I'm not on rotations after all, I'm looking for a summer job. I'd reached out to vets and techs I used to work with to see if they knew of anyone looking. Two of the vets I worked with last summer, who have both left the clinic where we worked together, are now both hoping I'll come work at their clinics. 🙂 (I love them both, so the decision might be just which one is closer unless they're willing to share me)
 
Recently started my main internship for the summer at a contract research organization and wow.. just wow..I don't even want to go back to school lol (jk 😉 ). I absolutely love it. Kinda feels weird bc they're constantly saying how they selected us and want us to come back and work for them and that this summer is essentially a 3 month long interview but seeing as I'm the lone vet student I'd doubt they'd hire me right after vet school (especially with no residency) and who knows if they'd even have a vet job open. The vet casually said to me they're understaffed and need some more vets but anyways loving the internship and the people in it. I truly feel like I'm making a difference and it makes me want to work harder when I return to school in the fall to enter this field even more.
 
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I got a new job working for shelter med at the vet school. I’ve worked there for 4 days now and I have already been dubbed by one person “the master of spreadsheets” :joyful:

I love when people appreciate my organizational skills
@finnickthedog loves a good spreadsheet
 
Recently started my main internship for the summer at a contract research organization and wow.. just wow..I don't even want to go back to school lol (jk 😉 ). I absolutely love it. Kinda feels weird bc they're constantly saying how they selected us and want us to come back and work for them and that this summer is essentially a 3 month long interview but seeing as I'm the lone vet student I'd doubt they'd hire me right after vet school (especially with no residency) and who knows if they'd even have a vet job open. The vet casually said to me they're understaffed and need some more vets but anyways loving the internship and the people in it. I truly feel like I'm making a difference and it makes me want to work harder when I return to school in the fall to enter this field even more.
Is this place in Michigan? I got a tour of the place and met alot of the vets on a previous rotation. It this is the same place, they'd totally hire you straight from school if they think you're a good fit. Theyre really about investing in their people. If they get you right from the start, you don't have any bad habits to unlearn!

Enjoy the summer!!
 
Another three day weekend after today, woo. Hoping to write a new CV, get a lot of reading done, and crank out the pages for the remaining vet schools on my website and finally be done (well, mostly; I will obviously update things and correct errors as pointed out as I did last year). I was hoping to have them finished by VMCAS open this cycle, but better late than never, I guess? I forgot how much time this all took to do on my own and... well, let’s just say that the official websites for the schools vary considerably in density and quality of information. Haha.

Oh, also! Latest surprise thrift store find! 😍

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Another three day weekend after today, woo. Hoping to write a new CV, get a lot of reading done, and crank out the pages for the remaining vet schools on my website and finally be done (well, mostly; I will obviously update things and correct errors as pointed out as I did last year). I was hoping to have them finished by VMCAS open this cycle, but better late than never, I guess? I forgot how much time this all took to do on my own and... well, let’s just say that the official websites for the schools vary considerably in density and quality of information. Haha.

Oh, also! Latest surprise thrift store find! 😍

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That is a beautiful book!!!
@whtsthfrqncy < someone help plz mobile is not helpful at all
 
Is this place in Michigan? I got a tour of the place and met alot of the vets on a previous rotation. It this is the same place, they'd totally hire you straight from school if they think you're a good fit. Theyre really about investing in their people. If they get you right from the start, you don't have any bad habits to unlearn!

Enjoy the summer!!

It is actually in Indiana! Not sure if it's the same company that you are talking about in Michigan, but this place definitely is about investing in their people so I think that's why they keep bringing up that they want to hire us back. We will see how the summer goes. I know some industry companies for lab animal you don't have to do a residency and *prefer* you to have at least one year of clinical experience, but we will see. It's all about timing. It's awesome experience nonetheless and will hopefully at least turn into a letter once applying for residencies.
 
So more good news about the clinic that asked what I was looking for pay-wise 🙂 The owner is the mother-in-law of one of the vets I worked with last summer. I haven't actually met the owner in person yet, but apparently I got a glowing reference and if she's already asking about money things seem promising. Not assuming anything of course. They are both Dr. [samelastname] and the one I know well works there a few days a week as well, so this might get confusing lol. But here's the good news... I was chatting more with Dr. DIL, and she tells me that if Dr. MIL trusts her student. she'll let you see appointments and do basic surgery and all kinds of stuff (all supervised of course). The more she tells me the more excited I get and the more I hope this works out, because it sounds like an amazing opportunity!

Also my new glasses arrived so I can see again, which is pretty awesome too!
 
My cat is continuing to recover from dental surgery and lots of congestion.

Her vets have been checking-in on her every day, making sure she is comfortable, etc. With the exception of the marked congestion, she is doing well.

Had six cheese pizzas delivered to the veterinary hospital at lunchtime - just wanted to thank them for their dedicated care and treatment. Very grateful to all of them for taking care of my tabby cat. 😍

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My cat is continuing to recover from dental surgery and lots of congestion.

Her vets have been checking-in on her every day, making sure she is comfortable, etc. With the exception of the marked congestion, she is doing well.

Had six cheese pizzas delivered to the veterinary hospital at lunchtime - just wanted to thank them for their dedicated care and treatment. Very grateful to all of them for taking care of my tabby cat. 😍

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You are the client every vet wishes they had. Haha. 😍

Glad to hear that your kitty is recovering well!
 
@awesomenessity and I were essentially gifted a temporary calf this week on our 4 week rural rotation. He was born two days ago and his mom had no milk so he's now our bottle baby and "if you can keep him alive you'll pass your rotation". Which got a lot harder today because he possibly has an intussusception and/or e coli and/or omphalophlebitis and/or joint ill.

BUT HE'S SO CUTE AND WE NAMED HIM DILBERT AND TODAY WE TAUGHT HIM HOW TO SUCK FROM A BOTTLE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO TUBE HIM. AND HE DID IT!

/proudmom
 
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