I have seen a lot of people talk about shadowing veterinarians/doctors and I know that I need to start doing this, but how do you find veterinarians or doctors who will let you shadow them? Should I call the office or try to contact the doctor directly? What should I say in the phone call or email?
Due to certain liability issues, some veterinarians might be reluctant to allow a pre-vet student to shadow them. However, if you remain professional, persistent, courteous, and ambitious, you can search for shadowing opportunities in your area (see suggestions below).
1. Contact your own pet's (or your family pet) veterinarian. If you know the DVM well, leave a "call back" message for the DVM or ask for the DVM's email address. Do not be offended if they don't return your call promptly. They're often very busy and understandably pet emergencies are much more important than a call back message. If you don't hear back from a DVM you know well, call them again in about 3-4 days. Be courteous and professional at all times. After all, the DVM is doing you a personal favor by allowing you to shadow them. If you're brusque or impolite to the DVM staff, don't expect a call back. Just saying.
2. As stated by
@LetItSnow, identify yourself as a pre-veterinary medicine student. Ask the DVM if he or she will allow you to shadow them for half a day in the near future, just to get your foot in the door. Most DVMs are familiar with the meaning of "shadowing" and the needs of pre-vet students - so don't take up their time with excessive details. They "get it." Be prepared to provide your most recent cv and be prepared to complete a standard waiver/release form, and a confidentiality form, if requested by the DVM. Some DVMs ask for these formalities, and others don't need them at all.
3. Alternatively, you can contact other DVMs in your area with the same shadowing request. Or, you can contact your undergraduate pre-veterinary medicine adviser and ask her or him if they have a list of DVMs who will allow pre-vet students to shadow certain DVMs. Or, you can contact your local Veterinary Medical Association and ask whether it maintains a shadowing list for pre-vet students.
what should I expect when I actually go in to shadow?
As a shadow, you will have a realistic birds-eye opportunity to passively observe a DVM in the course of her or his daily practice. Ditto for the RVTs and for the rest of the staff members who play an integral role in the practice of veterinary medicine (clinical, financial, lab, reception, insurance, administrative matters). Be respectful, appreciative and attentive, and stay out of the way (and don't touch any pets unless allowed to touch them by the DVM) - veterinary practice can be wildly busy 24/7. You might want to keep a log identifying the number of hours you shadowed different DVMs (SA, LA, exotics, etc.). You will have a chance to ask questions along the way - so be patient and soak-up various aspects associated with the shadowing experience; exercise common sense and discretion, and you'll be okay.
