Making a Paw-sitive Impact

Making A Paw-sitive Impact 

Marissa Robertson | Western University of Health Sciences, DVM Class of 2023

I – like most vet students – got into veterinary medicine because I am passionate about helping animals.  Over the past few years, I have become increasingly aware of the need for accessible veterinary care.  There are significant gaps in services throughout our country, and many communities have pets that they love dearly but can’t afford to take them to the vet for basic care.  Ever since I was an undergrad, I have continually sought out opportunities to volunteer at events that help provide much needed veterinary care to underserved communities.  When I began vet school, that goal didn’t change, and an amazing opportunity fell into my lap – or, rather, into my inbox. 

One afternoon I was shuffling through the seemingly endless number of emails in my inbox when I came across a call for volunteers.  The SCVMA was partnering with Downtown Dog Rescue to host a free clinic in an underserved community in Los Angeles.  I immediately signed up, but little did I know that I was signing up to be part of such an amazing team of people.  In the fall of 2019, as a timid first-year veterinary student, I attended my first Community Clinic event.  Owners lined up around the block with all of their pets in tow.  The clinic provided free vaccines, deworming medication, flea prevention, microchipping, grooming services, and even spay and neuter surgeries.  Additionally, the team of volunteers took the opportunity to connect with and educate the clients.  I was astounded at the number of pets we were able to provide care for, and by the end of the day I was filled with joy knowing we made a difference in that community.  Since that day, I have continued to volunteer every month at their clinic. 

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VIN Topic Rounds

Are you missing out on clinical rotations because of COVID-19? The VIN Student Team has you covered with Tuesday Topic Rounds.  During the month of August, join Anne Elizabeth Katherman, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) for 30 minute, case-based sessions every Tuesday at 12pm ET. Everyone and all levels of experience are welcome. There will be time for Q&A and discussion following. The next session is A Pain in the Neck: Cervical Intervertebral Disk Disease on August 10, 2021 at 12 ET.

In this rounds:

• Common clinical signs of cervical intervertebral disk disease
• Criteria for choosing medical management of cervical intervertebral disk disease
• Criteria for recommending surgical management of cervical intervertebral disk disease
• How to determine prognosis for recovery from cervical intervertebral disk disease

TO JOIN THE SESSION, LOG INTO THE VIN STUDENT CENTER AND CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is here to help you as a vet student – especially during this worldwide pandemic. Membership is always free as a student!

VIN Topic Rounds

Are you missing out on clinical rotations because of COVID-19? The VIN Student Team has you covered with Tuesday Topic Rounds.  During the month of August, join Anne Elizabeth Katherman, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) for 30 minute, case-based sessions every Tuesday at 12pm ET. Everyone and all levels of experience are welcome. There will be time for Q&A and discussion following. The next session is Intervertebral Disc Disease – Who, What, Why and Where on August 3, 2021 at 12 ET.

In this rounds:

• The pathophysiology of intervertebral disk disease and its influence on the type of intervertebral disk disease that occurs in different breeds
• The significance of spinal cord contusion
• Types of intervertebral disk disease (Type I, Type II, ANNPE, HNPE)

TO JOIN THE SESSION, LOG INTO THE VIN STUDENT CENTER AND CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is here to help you as a vet student – especially during this worldwide pandemic. Membership is always free as a student!

Adventure Awaits

Happy Wednesday Vet Med!

Adventures are wonderful, but they are made so much better by our furry friends!  Thank you to Anastasiya Missan of Atlantic Veterinary College for sending us these snaps of her sidekick!  

 

Experiences: A Week Spent in a Dark Room

A Week Spent in a Dark Room

Lauren Bynum, Texas A&M University 

This past year, I’ve been struggling with what I want to be when I grow up – a general practice veterinarian or a veterinary radiologist? I loved the diagnostic imaging course I took this spring; every radiograph felt like a puzzle I got to solve. However, I’ve also loved the experiences I’ve had working in general practice getting to know and educate families about the critters they love so much. I figured the only way to make an educated decision was to learn what being a veterinary radiologist actually entails, especially because as an extrovert, I wasn’t sure if I would be cut out to stare at a screen alone in a dark room all day.

The first week of summer after completing second year, I was lucky enough to be accepted as an extern in the Diagnostic Imaging department at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, Texas. I was determined to see if diagnostic imaging really was for me. One of the first things I learned about veterinary radiology is that you’re not alone in the dark room! At GCVS anyway, there are many other radiologists, interns, and residents all in the same room, all consulting for each other and sharing interesting cases so that a learning experience for one becomes a learning experience for all. Radiology is a team effort, and even when you’re writing a report alone, you’re still working with a referring veterinarian, providing valuable information to help them determine the best path forward for the patient in question.

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