Tips on asking a vet to shadow?

[annemarie_robinson]

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Hi there,

Does anyone have any tips on asking to shadow an equine vet?

Should I include a resume in my initial email? What would be an ideal duration of time to ask to shadow?

 

[ajs513]

Hi there,

Does anyone have any tips on asking to shadow an equine vet?

Should I include a resume in my initial email? What would be an ideal duration of time to ask to shadow?

I’d just go for it. Let them know the situation (that you’re a pre-vet trying to get some experience) and that you’re wondering if they’d be open to having you shadow them. I’d personally start with just finding out if they’re open to it, and then find out how long they’re comfortable with. Once a week for a month? Twice a week for the whole summer? Whatever you want to do. But find out if they’re open to it at all, and then work with them to determine a good schedule that they’d be comfortable with.

 

[annemarie_robinson]

I’d just go for it. Let them know the situation (that you’re a pre-vet trying to get some experience) and that you’re wondering if they’d be open to having you shadow them. I’d personally start with just finding out if they’re open to it, and then find out how long they’re comfortable with. Once a week for a month? Twice a week for the whole summer? Whatever you want to do. But find out if they’re open to it at all, and then work with them to determine a good schedule that they’d be comfortable with.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[SkiOtter]

I recommend just asking for a day or two to start and then if they go well, asking if you can come back. It saves any awkwardness if it’s just not working for either you or the vet and no one is locked in to a more long term thing. They don’t know you so it’s harder for a vet to want to commit to someone once a week for a few months without knowing it’s going to go well.

 

[finnickthedog]

Definitely just ask for one day. If it goes well then the door is open for you to ask if they'd mind having you back. I've never shadowed an equine vet, but I would imagine a resume is unnecessary. I would however mention what, if any, previous experience you have around horses because they might like to know that information when deciding whether they'd be comfortable having you as a shadow.

 

[yogapony]

Emphasize that you are planning to apply to vet school and are trying to gain exposure to the field. Ask to shadow, and make it clear that you are willing to be a passive observer and are there to learn. My practice manager has had issues in the past with students/volunteers overstepping (and likely coming from a good place, but it can cause trouble nonetheless) and making suggestions to owners, or trying to restrain a horse beyond their skill level, so as a practice we rarely have shadows. Good luck.

 

[annemarie_robinson]

Emphasize that you are planning to apply to vet school and are trying to gain exposure to the field. Ask to shadow, and make it clear that you are willing to be a passive observer and are there to learn. My practice manager has had issues in the past with students/volunteers overstepping (and likely coming from a good place, but it can cause trouble nonetheless) and making suggestions to owners, or trying to restrain a horse beyond their skill level, so as a practice we rarely have shadows. Good luck.

Thanks for your insight! 'Passive observer' is a good term that conveys my expectations, I'll definitely use it in my email. 🙂

 

[EngrSC]

Do you know any horsey people? The equine/large animal vets in my area don’t take shadows/volunteers but one of my horse friends put in a good word for me and I’m still riding with that equine vet a year later! Use the power of networking to your advantage, if available 🙂

 

[annemarie_robinson]

Do you know any horsey people? The equine/large animal vets in my area don’t take shadows/volunteers but one of my horse friends put in a good word for me and I’m still riding with that equine vet a year later! Use the power of networking to your advantage, if available 🙂

Hello, yes I do lease a horse/take lessonns, and I also volunteer with an OTTB charity. I will ask my coach/my volunteer coordinator!