02/10/2024
Extern Testimonial
Lauren King
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
1. Can you briefly describe your role and responsibilities during your externship with us?
I acted as a shadow and technician in the back of the hospital. I was able to see the work up of many of the drop off cases, observe all of the surgeries and participate in obtaining different diagnostics.
2. What specific tasks or procedures did you find most educational or challenging during your time here?
I was able to participate in a few spays and neuters while at the hospital. It helped to reinforce what we have been learning at school and allowed me to gain additional surgical experience. I also was able to observe a hemilaminectomy and a few laparoscopic spays which are both procedures I have never experienced before.
3. Were there any particular cases or experiences that stood out to you during your externship?
A case where a hemilaminectomy was performed stood out to me the most. I was impressed that this procedure was offered at the clinic, and I was excited to observe the surgery. It is great to see that the clinic has the option to provide surgeries that might not otherwise be attainable for some clients.
4. How did the support and guidance from our team impact your learning and development as a future veterinarian?
Everyone at the clinic was incredibly helpful and patient. The doctors took their time to assist me with surgeries and thoroughly answer my questions. The technicians were very supportive as well and were able to impart just as much knowledge as the doctors. From my time with everyone, I was able to learn valuable technical skills and how to better implement my educational knowledge into forming diagnoses and treatment decisions.
5. Were there any aspects of your externship experience that you found particularly rewarding or fulfilling?
Helping with the shelter cases that came in was very rewarding. Some of the animals that came in were in poor shape, but it was exciting to see that we could make a significant difference and improve their quality of life. I was also able to perform the neuters for some of their animals that were scheduled.
6. Did you encounter any challenges or areas where you felt there could be improvements in our externship program?
I did not encounter any challenges during my time. I think the experience was very much self-driven in that what I put into it is what I got out of it. I was not expected to do more than I was reasonably capable of but was still challenged to think for myself.
7. What feedback or suggestions do you have for enhancing the overall experience for future externs?
I had a great time during my externship and felt well taken care of. I am not sure that there is anything I would change. I would recommend future externs to take advantage of any opportunity. No one should be afraid to get involved or ask questions because it is a very safe environment to learn.
8. How would you rate the level of mentorship and supervision you received during your externship?
I had excellent mentorship during my externship. Dr. Love and Dr. Thomas were great at explaining what they were doing for each case and getting me involved in cases. Both doctors were very helpful in surgery. If they weren’t directly scrubbed in helping, they would check every few minutes to make sure I felt comfortable. They both helped me feel more confident in my skills.
9. Did you have the opportunity to interact with clients, and if so, how did you find the communication and client interaction aspect of your experience?
I was primarily in the back of the hospital, so I did not directly interact with clients.
10. In what ways did your externship with us contribute to your professional growth and preparedness for a career in veterinary medicine?
The experience gave me a practical perspective on real life scenarios. I was able to begin connecting my educational knowledge with clinical cases. I was also able to see different styles of medicine than what I have previously observed. I feel more confident in making clinical decisions with the knowledge I have gained. I will implement what I learned during my time at the clinic into my future diagnoses and treatments.
