Veterinary Medicine: A Personal Statement Of Purpose

Congratulating an owner on their four healthy puppies I just helped deliver by cesarean section, delivering lab results to a client that the tumor we removed from their cat was benign, and handing a child their puppy who is no longer suffering from pancreatitis and getting to go home from being hospitalized have been a few of the rewarding moments I have experienced working in the veterinary field. Few things are more satisfying than the joy on a client’s face when receiving good news about their animal. I have also encountered many heart breaking moments where owners have lost their beloved pets due to illness or injury. In the moments standing with owners as their animal passed away, I saw so much love mixed with grief. It is the human-animal

I worked as a research volunteer in the biology department genotyping mice litters used to study embryonic development. I also volunteered at Conway Regional Hospital and was assigned to the radiology department where I helped answer phones and process doctor’s orders. Both these experiences I enjoyed, but couldn’t see myself working solely in either field as a career. When I realized working with mice was my favorite aspect of my research volunteering and that I enjoyed my time in a clinical setting at the hospital, I decided to explore the option of veterinary medicine. I volunteered at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital in the spring of 2013 and spring of 2014. During my time there I was given many opportunities to learn about the veterinary field and witness the human-animal bond that initially drew me into the veterinary profession. My senior year of college I conducted a grant-funded research project on Queen Snakes and was hired as the biology department’s herptile caretaker. Through these positions I was able to learn more about and work with reptiles, as well as educate others about them. Through my undergraduate experiences I learned that being able to work with animals, teach others, and work in a medical setting made veterinary medicine a clear choice for me to

in Biology, in order to gain more knowledge and experience in veterinary medicine, I applied for a position as a veterinary technician at Animal Family Practice Veterinary Hospital, treating small companion animals. Working at AFP not only taught me many technical skills that will be valuable to a veterinarian, but Dr. Koenig showed me that there is much more to being a veterinarian than providing medical care for animals. Working at AFP I learned that providing treatment for patients is a central component of the veterinary profession, but that a large role of veterinary work is interacting with people. As a veterinary technician, it is my responsibility to handle patients coming into the hospital, including emergency situations. I can remember one instance where a client of ours rushed into our clinic with his small dog that had been attacked by a larger dog. The owner was reluctant to be separated from his pet that was critically injured. My training had prepared me to address the situation calmly but quickly, provide comfort through reassurance and understanding, and thoroughly explain to the owner exactly what we needed to do for treatment. I left for the treatment room with the dog, an authorized treatment plan, and a more composed client. The ability to think quickly, provide compassion, and communicate effectively are a few valuable skills of a veterinarian that I have learned from working at