Companion Animal Clinic Internship Summer 2003 Melanie Pare Melanie Pare November 13, 2003

Summer 2003 How did I find this internship? Always brought my pets to this clinic. Always brought my pets to this clinic. Always wanted to work in this or any clinic. Always wanted to work in this or any clinic. Applied to this clinic along with several others in area in December. Applied to this clinic along with several others in area in December.

Initial Contact with Vet Dr. Penny called me back after applying to come in and job shadow for a few hours. Dr. Penny called me back after applying to come in and job shadow for a few hours. Told me what I’d be doing. Told me what I’d be doing. Met everyone and went into general appointments and saw surgery. Met everyone and went into general appointments and saw surgery. Had to call back in March to make sure they still needed someone and they did! Had to call back in March to make sure they still needed someone and they did!

What I did & Responsibilities Job Description: Vet Assistant/Tech & Receptionist Job Description: Vet Assistant/Tech & Receptionist Responsibilities: Set up appts. Draw up vaccines heartworm/fecal tests Held animals develop x-rays blood work urinalysis smears Responsibilities: Set up appts. Draw up vaccines heartworm/fecal tests Held animals develop x-rays blood work urinalysis smears

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Responsibilities cont. Receptionist Responsibilities: Answer phones/answer questions Cash people out Filing of charts Getting meds for clients Other paper work

What I was exposed to: All types of personalities All types of personalities All types of cat and dog breeds: friendly and aggressive All types of cat and dog breeds: friendly and aggressive Variety of illnesses Variety of illnesses Surgeries: spay/neuters growth removals teeth cleaning declawing cruciate ligament surgery Surgeries: spay/neuters growth removals teeth cleaning declawing cruciate ligament surgery Euthanasia Euthanasia

What I Learned How to do medical tests/procedures/appts How to do medical tests/procedures/appts How a vet office is run (inventory, getting paid, vets in charge, ordering of meds and supplies, etc) How a vet office is run (inventory, getting paid, vets in charge, ordering of meds and supplies, etc) Learned/saw different signs and symptoms of many illnesses. How one condition can be a cause of many things. Learned/saw different signs and symptoms of many illnesses. How one condition can be a cause of many things. About different breeds: -all personalities are different -some breeds aren’t always friendly About different breeds: -all personalities are different -some breeds aren’t always friendly Best way to diagnose is through blood or urine Best way to diagnose is through blood or urine Plus more! Plus more!

Am I glad I did it? Very glad I worked at a vet office -learned a lot! -Got great experience -Got to see what its like to work in a clinic everyday. Very glad I worked at a vet office -learned a lot! -Got great experience -Got to see what its like to work in a clinic everyday.

Changed or confirmed career plans ? Confirmed! Confirmed! Worked with public and staff Worked with public and staff Animals come first Animals come first Willing to euthanize and face consequences of mistakes Willing to euthanize and face consequences of mistakes Repetition of each day and dealing with owners, staff, and other doctors Repetition of each day and dealing with owners, staff, and other doctors

Recommend it to others? Definitely! Definitely! Great experience for anyone wanting to be a vet or tech. Great experience for anyone wanting to be a vet or tech. Eye opener to what really goes on. Eye opener to what really goes on. Learn about animals, clinical medicine, as well as about yourself and if it’s right for you. Learn about animals, clinical medicine, as well as about yourself and if it’s right for you. Ask ques, and get answers Ask ques, and get answers Get advice and possible help in applying. Get advice and possible help in applying.

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Any questions??