Eleventh Hour Rescue: A Case Study

As important as education is, experience is a big part of the job as well… You need to have animal and clinical experience (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). So, I’ll need to volunteer at an actual veterinarian’s clinic. In the meantime, I’ve been volunteering for the past several months with the Eleventh Hour Rescue. It’s a great non-profit organization helping cats and dogs, who are on the verge of being euthanized; for no fault of their own. I’m working with poor, defenseless animals in need. I’m also dealing with people at all times, which I feel is just as important as your animal skills. You need to be able to know how to talk to people because as a veterinarian you need to be able to also empathize with that animal’s owner. At

As of April, of 2013, in N.J. a veterinarian was estimated to be earning an $83,000 a year salary. This is 6% higher than the average salaries for job postings. In 2016, the estimated pay was $88,770 per year. That’s roughly $42.68 per hour (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Though, you can’t just do it for the money. I'm fully aware, this job comes along with blood, sweat and tears. Then again, nobody ever said, “life was easy!” Life's not all kittens, puppies and rainbows. No pun intended... If you truly want to be a veterinarian, as I do. You should do it because you truly love the work and that passion you have must be coming from a place bigger than your

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Dr. Crosby, my days will be starting quite early because most animals will probably be arriving from an overnight emergency facility. Therefore, requiring urgent care. If a pet needs surgery, they would be immediately admitted. Dr. Crosby says, “I like to do surgery as early in the day as possible.” Then, I’d be required to go over any of those emergency cases with another doctor. After which, I’ll need to tend to other important duties. Including prior patients and discussing certain emergency cases with their owners. Then, I would need to proceed with any scheduled appointments/surgeries. The more frequently seen appointments would include: vaccinations, neutering, spaying, teeth cleanings and sadly euthanasia. My top priority would always be that animal and making sure they are stable. So, I may need to work additional hours, nights and even weekends. At the end of my day, I’ll still be thinking of the animals and of their owners. The way I see it, a doctor's work is never truly