Externs on the Hill

By Haillie Crockett, Tufts University

When I applied to a four-week externship with the AVMA Government Relations Division in Washington D.C., I knew that as a dual degree DVM/MPH student who has always had an interest in non-traditional veterinary career paths, it would be a valuable means to gain public policy experience. I also knew that I would have the chance to meet many veterinarians doing interesting work in federal agencies,congressional offices, and independent organizations. I did not realize that I would walk away with a completely different outlook on my career and the roles I can play within the veterinary profession. While I could write a short book about everything I learned during my time with the AVMA, I have donemy best to boil it down to my three main takeaways:

1. If you do not love what you are doing, change it.
For some, a long career in clinical practice is deeply fulfilling. For others, our lives and interests
pull us in surprising new directions, and for still others the reality of clinical practice is more of a
mixed bag when long hours, difficult clients, or toxic work environments are an everyday
reality. We might feel we should “tough it out”; after all, we toughed it out through college, vet
school, and possibly an internship and residency. These experiences tend not to teach us to
prioritize our own mental health, happiness or evolving interests. We know that these factors
contribute to the high rates of mental illness and suicide in our profession, and it pains me to
know that veterinarians stay in situations that push them there. But keep in mind that we live in
a complex, interdisciplinary world where the average American changes professions five to
seven times in their adult life. An incredible variety of opportunities and paths exist for
veterinarians from regulatory work to policy making to military service to industry and more.
While some of these paths may be very different from the image we had of ourselves in school,
it is critical to empower veterinarians that are struggling in their current role to make a change
that fulfills them while also supporting their mental health. Trading a career in clinical practice
for a desk job may feel like quitting when, in reality, it can be the beginning of an equally
fulfilling career that serves both humans and animals while allowing for prioritization of one’s
happiness and mental health. And if you are thinking of making a change but are not sure where
to begin, it’s also important to know that…

2. Almost every veterinarian is happy to talk to you about what they do; you just have to ask.
As I started reaching out to veterinarians in the DC area, I expected a fair number to not respond
or not have time for me. After all, these are busy, specialized professionals. I was blown away by
how responsive and excited to meet almost every person was. It demonstrated the strength of
the veterinary community. I met with veterinarians who were Colonels, CEOs, and Congressmen
during my time in DC; every person was incredibly generous with their time, and for that I am
deeply grateful. This is an aspect of our profession and the people it attracts that should not be
taken for granted. A long resume or list of credentials can be intimidating, but we all have the
shared experience of veterinary school and a shared passion for animal health. I now feel so
much more comfortable reaching out to those doing work I find interesting, even if it is just to
chat about what they do and how they got there, and I hope that veterinarians in all stages of
their careers feel the same.

3. No matter how you use your veterinary degree, you have a role to play in policy.
During my time with the AVMA I saw veterinarians influencing policy in many ways. Some had
dedicated their careers to policy, but many others were clinicians who made policy a priority in
other ways. They did this by writing op-eds, calling their representatives, building relationships
with their state governments, and serving with their state VMAs. Especially at the federal level,
it can feel like our voices do not make a difference, but I can attest that many representatives
are excited to hear from veterinarians on issues of animal health and veterinary business, where
we are subject experts. The only way to make sure that elected officials are receiving accurate
information about legislation that affects our community is for them to hear it from us. We hear
about the importance of advocacy often, and it is hard to find the time, but I have seen firsthand
the difference that it makes and the sense of empowerment it can give us. I encourage every
member of the veterinarian community to find some way, even if it feels small, to advocate for
our profession.

I am very grateful to the people who took time out of their busy days to discuss their careers and their impact on the world and to the AVMA GRD staff for providing such an eye-opening experience. I walked away from each of these meetings with a little more knowledge and wisdom about the profession in general and my career specifically. I encourage any veterinary student that wants to expand their knowledge of our diverse profession, learn about the policy making process, and build a bigger network to look into this externship. And if you have more questions, remember, all you have to do is ask.