Vet experience question

[Prevet219210]

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Hi, I am currently an undergrad as prevet and was wondering about vet school applications. I currently work at Petsmart and was wondering if I would count all my hours there as animal experience or just the time I actually spend with the animals which is probably 2 hours/ an 8 hr day. Also, I was wondering if anyone had tips on getting a vet assistant job with no experience or how to get vet experience hours.

 

[TrashCat]

Hey there. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, btw. haha

As far as your experience with Petsmart goes, it probably does not count as animal experience hours unless you are a direct caretaker of the hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. If you do that, count those hours as animal experience. However, I'm not sure that being on the floor and interacting with dogs that come in counts as animal experience. I would mark the rest of the hours as just job/employment hours.

I got a job with no experience as a veterinary assistant through Banfield. I know that some people have had bad experiences with Banfield, but mine has been absolutely wonderful. I think it truly depends on the location, management, and staff. If possible, I'd research what locations have high ratings near you and apply to multiple locations. You may even have an "in" if your Petsmart has a Banfield. I think it varies by state what VAs can do, but at my location, I am basically able to do everything, from restraint to administering vaccines to reading labs (fecals, urines, ear swabs, etc). It's been a great experience and I 10/10 recommend it. Plus, once you work there for a few years and gain experience, you will more easily be able to get a job elsewhere as a VA if you want to.

 

[LittleSparrow]

Hello. I used to work at Petsmart myself. I counted most of my hours there as animals experience, but I worked in their pet hotel and was constantly monitoring boarding pets. So if you are doing that then I would say to count most of your hours. But if you are on the floor, then it is as TrashCat said, you can't really count the hours as animal experience if you are not interacting with the animals during that time.

As far as getting a vet assistant job with little experience, I would visit local clinics around you and see if they have anything available. You'll be amazed at what you can find if you are bold and start asking around. I started off shadowing the vet at my old clinic just by going in and asking the manager if I could. I applied for and got a job there a couple months later. I never got to be a vet assistant, but I was still trained to administer vaccines, set up and read fecals, and restrain. What you will be allowed to do varies greatly based on location and practice. Every clinic is run differently. But you can get vet hours doing any job at a clinic when you are being supervised by the veterinarian.

 

[that redhead]

Hi, I am currently an undergrad as prevet and was wondering about vet school applications. I currently work at Petsmart and was wondering if I would count all my hours there as animal experience or just the time I actually spend with the animals which is probably 2 hours/ an 8 hr day. Also, I was wondering if anyone had tips on getting a vet assistant job with no experience or how to get vet experience hours.

Agree with the above posters regarding how to classify your work experiences.

As for getting vet experience, here’s some more info: Veterinary Shadowing: How To Find And Make The Most Of Opportunities

 

[RightMeow!]

Hi!

In regards to veterinary experience, another excellent way to get experience is by volunteering with a non-profit organization. Low-cost spay and neuter clinics will take any free labor they can get. You will probably be cleaning kennels at first, but if you put in the effort to stand out and build a relationship with the staff, they may let you shadow and do more vet-related tasks.

 

[dogtorschmogtor]

I got a job with no experience as a veterinary assistant through Banfield. I know that some people have had bad experiences with Banfield, but mine has been absolutely wonderful. I think it truly depends on the location, management, and staff. If possible, I'd research what locations have high ratings near you and apply to multiple locations. You may even have an "in" if your Petsmart has a Banfield. I think it varies by state what VAs can do, but at my location, I am basically able to do everything, from restraint to administering vaccines to reading labs (fecals, urines, ear swabs, etc). It's been a great experience and I 10/10 recommend it. Plus, once you work there for a few years and gain experience, you will more easily be able to get a job elsewhere as a VA if you want to.

Same same same. It definitely varies by location, but you will learn SO MUCH.