Carolyne the Vet

09/17/2020

4 Years Ago Today.

My Bachelors of Science, in Animal Science was conferred on this day 4 years ago. I wasn't in the right country for the day of the ceremony, I watched my best friend post her pictures, and watched a live stream from the UK. There are some days I wish I was there with the cords I had worked so hard to earn, to hug my pals who'd helped me through, to boil in the sunshine of May in Vermont at a long ceremony on the green with everyone else.

I wasn't there.

It took a bit of time to realize that it did not diminish the accomplishment, or the hard work, or the happiness I should have felt because I wasn't there in person.

Plus, going to UVM and studying Animal Science lead to to where I am right now... in Glasgow, on my final year rotations (small animal specialty to be exact), and less than 9 months away from being a veterinary surgeon.

It just means I'll have to celebrate this Bachelors twice over.

Find joy in something you achieve each day! Some days its for getting out of bed, finishing that case report, making all your phone calls, remembering to pull out a topic to review, knitting another row on your project, and some days its something a bit bigger. No achievement is too big or too small to be celebrated!

09/03/2020

When you get knocked down, get back up again! I had to repeat this to myself a lot during the first week of rotation. It reminded me of my first ever rugby match where this photo was taken...

No, that is not how you are meant to tackle, but I wasn't strong or confident on my feet at that point. I did at least slow her down though!

What did I do after?

Get up, find my teammates and get on with it. Rugby is a contact sport, so there was no doubt I'd get knocked down again.

That is what learning is, a contact sport, where you just need to readjust and keep going because the game continues whether you're on the floor or not.

I've come along way since this picture in 2017, both with rugby and on my journey to becoming a vet. The bumps in the road are there for my benefit, and I'll keep getting up and learning!

It's time for a good rest though, and back at it tomorrow...

08/30/2020

Rotations start tomorrow!! The pup tried to bark at my MiniVet Guide so I showed him it was actually quite helpful, thanks to - I'm starting with Small Animal Speciality 🏥

What am I bringing with me?

⚕️Handy pouch to hold all my gear
💉 Stethoscope (with a name tag)
⚕️ Bandage scissors (thanks )
💉Vet student name badge
⚕️Hand sanitizer
💉 Thermometer
⚕️Extra face mask and scrub cap (courtesy of )
💉Hair bobbles!! (And clips to control the frizz)
⚕️ID Holder (thanks )
💉BSAVA Formulary ( ) because it's super handy for looking up medications
⚕️Coffee mug ( ) because it is necessary, need I say more?
💉Sistema utensils kit (because COVID we have to bring our own everything for the staff kitchen )
⚕️Comfy shoes!!! And theatre shoes!
💉 grey watch because it comes in handy taking heart rates!

08/30/2020

Here we go!

Good luck to all the final years starting their first rotation tomorrow!

The Class of 2021 has shown incredible resilience throughout the course of lockdown and many changes being thrown their way. Now its time for them to shine in clinics! One year to go until this batch joins the veterinary profession. Good luck all.

08/26/2020

National Dog Day!! Featured my first and best boy, Hickory.

This is him in the younger days, he sleeps a bit more now and his hind legs give in a bit, but he still loves a good belly rub and butt scratch.

He still is our anxious rescue pup, reserved and quiet. He reserves his bark or howl to when he sees my mom emerge from the train station across the street.

He's first to jump (now be lifted) into the car to go off to the countryside, and quick to remind anyone in the kitchen that he is available for scrap collection.

Love you Hickory 💙💙
- Part of the family since 2008 ✌️

08/20/2020

2020 in a nutshell...🙃

08/18/2020

I am tired, so I have nothing to say... but I love a good excuse to share a highland cow.

Have a smashing weekend everyone!

08/13/2020

Most important veterinary skill?

COMMUNICATION

It does not come overnight, it won't be refined during vet school, it will come with time in practice! As a final year, I cannot wait to keep improving on it to better provide for clients and animals.

So what can you do as a pre-vet or vet student?

☎️Find vets that will let you take histories, make phone calls, etc to practice!
☎️Have an open mind! Feedback is the best way to learn. Guarantee there is something for everyone to improve on no matter what stage they are at
☎️Practice the difficult stuff, even if its uncomfortable
☎️Be okay with mistakes, learn from them!

I actually love phone calls, but it seems like I am a minority in that... so get used to the phone as well!

What are your favorite communication tid-bits you've received over the years?

08/10/2020

That is my Monday face....

It wouldn't be a fun vet job if I didn't get my hands dirty.... castrating alpacas in the mountains!

Is it bad I thought the colours were pretty? The purple was our version of chlorohex and the red is blood....

What is something you find cool, but a non-vet would 🤢at?

08/07/2020

This is Felicia, and she's adorable. That is all. (I love Jersey cows)

It has been a long week of leadership role work and meetings, NAVLE studying, and online rotation work so it is definitely time for a truly logged off weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

08/06/2020

Studying for the NAVLE like....

08/03/2020

This one is for all the pre-vets out there! (In undergrad or not, working, raising families, in another job but trying to make a change, all of you!)

What do you offer to a veterinary program?
I know when I applied I couldn't help but compare the quantitative aspects of my application... vet hours, experience, class credits, GPA, etc.

I did not feel like enough.

What I realized though, was that most of my conversations with the admissions team at Glasgow was not at all centered around my veterinary experiences. It was about all of my other jobs and roles. The skills I learned outside of the vet profession were ABSOLUTELY TRANSFERABLE.

Resident Advisor (RA) --> Communication Skills, Teamwork
Research Assistant --> Time Management
Ballet School Staff --> How to go on pointe (just kidding, dealing with high pressure environments)

Do not sell yourself short.

If you've worked in retail, in shops, restaurants, anything! One of the ways veterinary medicine needs to improve is in its inclusiveness, and as applicants we can start proving to universities that there is so much value from students with non-traditional backgrounds and experiences.

Spoiler, I got in.

What transferable skills did you have as an applicant? Or pre-vet students, what are your concerns in the application process?

# vetstudent