this is weird

[cubs11]

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i'm currently shadowing with various vets and organizations, but my top priority has been with the small animal/exotics vet.

i thought this vet understood my interest in wanting to remain her shadow for a while to gain as much experience as possible. she has been very involved in acting as a mentor throughout the past 2 months that i have shadowed her.

while i was there, she received a call from another student who was interested in shadowing her as well. the way she spoke to the student, was like she didn't want to have shadows anymore, but told her she could come in one day for a few hours to see if this is something she would be interested in.

at the end of each week she usually asks when i want to come back in, and puts me on the schedule for the next week. but yesterday she never asked, so i asked her if i could come back. i told her i was starting classes next week, and before i could finish my sentence, she said "so you're pretty much done here then?" it was almost as if she decided over night that she didn't want anything to do with student shadows anymore. finally she told me to come in one day next week if i wanted to watch a surgery, and then i left.

i only have 100 hours with this vet...i was hoping to gain many more hours of experience in small animal. and the reason i started shadowing at the beginning of the summer was to have the opportunity to become familiar with the clinic, the doctor, the staff, and operations, and also establish a level of commitment so that when classes started, the doctor would be willing to work around my schedule.

so what do i do? do i find another vet to shadow and see if they can work around my class schedule and other volunteering schedules? or do i basically beg this vet to let me come back for a few hours a week?

i have become established with this office, but i don't want to be made to feel like i'm in the way if this vet is "over" having student shadows.

 

[QTkitty]

Look for another vet. If she doesn't want students anymore then you aren't going to get out of this experience what you might hope. I would actually suggest looking for a vet tech assistant (this is what we called ourselves because we weren't licensed) job rather than a shadow. You will be more likely to get hands on experience and you'll get paid for it. You should be willing to work at least 3-4 days a week if you are going to look for a job though. If I'm not mistaken you had said before that you are in your first few years of undergrad. You don't need to worry about establishing yourself so early at one hospital. I only worked with the vet who wrote me my letter of rec for 1.5 yrs before the application cycle. More important than anything else, try to get varied experiences (LA, SA, lab, etc.) in the next few years before applying.

 

[cubs11]

try to get varied experiences (LA, SA, lab, etc.) in the next few years before applying.

i'm currently shadowing in LA, SA, exotics, and submitted an application to volunteer at the zoo in the fall. i have searched for labs in my area, but haven't found any.

i have wanted to work as a vet tech, there are several positions open at clinics in my area, but can't right now because of the physical conditions required (i'm in the middle of a very bad back injury).

 

[runnerDC]

it was almost as if she decided over night that she didn't want anything to do with student shadows anymore.

...i was hoping to gain many more hours of experience in small animal.

It sounds like the communication lines aren't as clear as they could be.

Rather than assuming that she is "over" having student shadows, I would suggest expressing to her what your hopes were regarding shadowing her and explicitely asking whether or not you are still welcomed to continue doing so. This way, if the answer indeed is that she would rather not have you shadow anymore, she'll have a chance to clearly express that and you can find experience elsewhere. If your interaction with her is less clear, well, then, you'll have to judge whether or not you still feel comfortable there and whether or not you are going to get your needs met if you do stay.

Good luck!

 

[hirdDVM]

I agree with QTkitty...once you are able to work again, try finding a part time job. I started out as a glamorous kennel worker 😛 at a small hospital, but it paid off. I expressed my interest in medicine so they allowed me to work more one on one with clients and patients. Within a year, I was doing a lot of technician work and receptioning. I worked there for five years and was very happy. Sometimes you have to do the dirty work to show them that you mean it 😉

That's my other recommendation, try finding a small animal hospital. They are less specialized but because of the size you actually get to do more (because more often then not they need the help). I found with larger hospitals, the kennel personnel, for instance, only did kennel and nothing else.

It sounds like this vet is not very interested in teaching, so you are probably better off finding a new mentor 🙂

-V

 

[chris03333]

i'm currently shadowing in LA, SA, exotics, and submitted an application to volunteer at the zoo in the fall. i have searched for labs in my area, but haven't found any.

i have wanted to work as a vet tech, there are several positions open at clinics in my area, but can't right now because of the physical conditions required (i'm in the middle of a very bad back injury).

About 99 % of all universitys have labs (whether you know about them or not). I am sure you can find one.

 

[cubs11]

About 99 % of all universitys have labs (whether you know about them or not). I am sure you can find one.

i have contacted several professors at the university close to me, regarding research opportunities, but they are HORRIBLE about responding. they are also notorious for creating a series of courses and requiring those created courses in order to take part in their research projects.

i guess i'll just have to camp out at their office building until i can get some information from them! 🙂

 

[jfitzpatri8]

Another idea for getting lab experience is the clinical side. Where do the animal hospitals around you send their blood/ tissue samples for testing? Most of the veterinary diagnostic labs are Antech or Idexx now... and every one has one or a few pathologists on staff. It would be very good experience to "ride along" with them on their microscope, learning about the difference between normal and pathology. One of my LORs was from just such an individual.

Feel better. Send me a PM when that neuro appt is done.

Jenn

 

[KittenKiller]

It sounds like the communication lines aren't as clear as they could be.

I agree with runnerDC here. If you really like this vet and this practice, dont just be sad and confused about it and go somewhere else. Express your desires candidly to her. Tell her you like her practice and admire her work and would love to see more of it. Perhaps offer to take on responsibility rather than just shadow. But also give her a way out so she doesnt feel forced into it (say something like "I understand if you cant do this"). Worst that happens is she says no - but then at least youve ended it with mutual understanding rather than bitterness on either side.

 

[jfitzpatri8]

Kitten killer has a point. I know that it can be exceedingly difficult to face someone when they have been so cold to you, but this approach makes sure that everyone is on the same page. Funny, I didn't really agree with it when QTkitty said it...

J

 

[thereservoirdog]

I was shadowing a vet and the whole time it seemed like he didn't want me there. He didn't talk to me much and the whole experience was just weird. I don't know, maybe some vets don't like having people following them around all day? It also felt weird having to explain to every client that I'm shadowing the vet and asking if they mind if I watched. The first time me and the vet talked about shadowing we both agreed for one week though. So maybe you and your vet weren't clear on a time schedule?
Also, I think when a vet lets you shadow, they're doing you a favor as they don't get anything in return since you're not helping with procedures or anything, just watching. Maybe you should ask her if you could volunteer some work, but you have that back injury so I don't know.

 

[conservationgal]

Take the other posters' advice - don't put yourself through dealing with a cold or uncaring veterinarian. I've been there and done that, and frankly it just breaks down your confidence. Try to find a vet or a clinic that seems upbeat, supportive, and willing to teach and you will be much happier in the long run. Good luck! 🙂

 

[jfitzpatri8]

Haven't forgotten about you, just no response yet on VIN. Two docs are posting they would take you, but they are in NY and MN... too much of a commute for a non-paying job, I think...

J

 

[cubs11]

haha i agree! but so nice of them to offer. thanks so much for searching, hopefully we'll hear something from a doc close to me.

 

[Monkey85]

You've gotten some good advice already. Here is my two cents for what its worth (basically I am bored and don't feel like doing anything really productive right now). I would definately reccomend trying to find a vet that is supportive of you being there. When I first starting shadowing the vet was very cold and never said a word to me except "hello". I promptly asked if I could switch days and shadow a different vet. The next vet was very friendly and understood why I was there. He took the time to explain procedures to me and would quiz me on differentials now and again. Shadowing is a great way to get exposure to clinical vet med but shadowing a vet that is personable and talkative is a must. I would also be concerned with any letter of reccomendation you would get from the vet (if you were considering getting a letter from her). I would be worried that her lack of interest in you would show in the letter. Those are my thoughts. At least you are being proactive and willing to get the experience. Good luck.

 

[cubs11]

I would be worried that her lack of interest in you would show in the letter. Those are my thoughts.

that's what i'm afraid would happen...

 

[jfitzpatri8]

I sent you a PM about a vet closer to you who would love to have a visitor. And she has cervical spine issues, so she know where you are coming from on that front. It may be wise to contact her anyways (it is 5 hours away) and get her take on the whole "being a doctor with neck issues" thing... and thank her for the offer. (I already did).

Post here if you are going to go. I am sure others would love to hear how it turns out.

Jenn

 

[cubs11]

you are awesome! thanks for your help. i have located her clinic's website and am going to contact her regarding her offer. i think i'm going to try to go down there and stay a few days and shadow with her (when i have breaks from school). thanks so much for searching on VIN for me!!! i'll let you know how it goes when i contact her.