Why did you decide to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine?
Because I love animals, I love medicine, and I enjoy promoting animal health and welfare.
What kinds of courses did you take in your veterinary medicine program?
The core veterinary curriculum, as with medical school is standardized for the first two years. During your Junior and Senior years, along with core classes, students are also able to select various courses depending on one’s particular area(s) of interest.
What was the most interesting part of studying veterinary medicine?
I couldn’t honestly say that there was one particular area I was most interested in because, at least for me, medicine is a very encompassing field. For example, if you don’t understand the anatomy and physiology, the histology doesn’t make sense, and if you don’t understand the histology, pathology won’t make sense either. Formal veterinary medical education is a step by step process. It’s organic. You are presented with massive amounts of material you must learn and initially it can become a bit overwhelming.
Slowly, everything begins to fall into place and starts to make sense. In my opinion, Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine is top-shelf and I would recommend it to any potential student.
The reward once you graduate, and begin practicing, is having your sick patient walk in and feel confident in your ability to correct the condition and restore wellness. You realize that no two cases are exactly the same as each patient is an entity in and of itself.
The thrill for me at this point in my career is trying to make a real long-lasting difference in the quality of veterinary medicine as a whole. Being a leader or acting as a pioneer, and paving the path for pets to receive y proactive wellness and enjoy natural longevity. In addition, I empower my patients by providing them with the tools they need to take charge of their pet’s health destiny and offer them continuing support with simple, easy to follow steps to achieve health success for their particular pet.
Continuing research and education for pet owners and veterinarians alike is ultimately the key to true health and wellness protocols for us all; human and animal — developing cost effective, modern medical protocols based on proactive wellness as opposed to our current focus on disease, is, in my opinion, is paramount to the future of medicine and successful health care in this country.
What was the most challenging part of studying veterinary medicine?
The most challenging class was freshman statistics. It was a bear! As a whole, I love to learn, I love animals and the study of medicine fascinates and intrigues me. I didn’t find studying veterinary medicine challenging in that sense at all. I find it both engaging and enlightening. It motivates me to dig deeper, continue my research and develop new natural therapies and protocols to further pet health, wellness, and longevity.
In what ways do you use the skills and knowledge you obtained in vet school in your current line of work?
What you learn in vet school provides students with the basics or building blocks needed to become a practicing veterinarian. The fundamentals, combined with clinical experience and ongoing education, are key to being a successful veterinary practitioner.
Personally, my formal education provided me with a platform to work with what I love most…animals. In addition, I have found that I am able to empower pet owners to take charge of their pet’s health destiny and ultimately make a difference in their lives as well as that of their cherished companions.
Do you have any words of advice to students who are considering going into veterinary medicine?
My advice would be similar to anyone pursuing a professional degree, whether it’s law, theater or veterinary medicine. Be sure that the field you are about to pursue is truly a good fit. Do your homework and avoid making impulsive decisions, especially when your future is at stake.
For example, consider volunteering at a local shelter and a veterinary office. Literally immerse yourself in the field to be sure you love it and are ready, able and willing to make the commitment.
In veterinary school, we lost a few students for various reasons. One girl was afraid of animals. She was brilliant but feared the possibility of potential injury such as being bitten by a dog or kicked by a horse.
Therefore becoming a traditional practitioner was not a viable option for her, although several other areas of veterinary medicine were possible including research, pathology, and immunology. Remember being a veterinarian, whether for large or small animals has various aspects and it is important to be aware of all the facts beforehand so as to pursue a successful career path. Love of animals helps to get you in the door, but that’s just the beginning. Do your homework, immerse yourself, and be sure that you truly enjoy all the aspects of a particular field prior to its pursuit. Be sure that you really enjoy it and are prepared to dedicate yourself and your life to that area before you take the ultimate leap.
