Veterinary Students and the COVID 19 Crisis

By Ella Rak

Class of 2023

Virginia- Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

When universities across the country started shutting down in March, I felt helpless in a time of crisis. What could a veterinary student due to help in a human pandemic? Through the Medical Reserve Corps, I have had the opportunity to apply the skills I have learned in veterinary school as a volunteer on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.  

The Medical Reserve Corps is a network of volunteer groups across the country founded after 9/11 to assist in times of public health emergencies. When requested, they provide both medical and non-medical assistance to health departments and emergency services. By mid-March the call went out for operators of the local health department’s COVID 19 hotline. We were asked to provide up to date information on the novel coronavirus, answer questions about available resources and community response, and combat the overwhelming misinformation spreading through our community. From concerned citizens to business owners trying to develop best practices for their employees and customers, we used our understanding of disease transmission and information gathering to provide the most accurate and up to date recommendations. Though my terminology changed from ‘closed herds’ to ‘social distancing’, all the concepts of population health I had learned in vet school still applied. 

Once testing became available, we triaged patients. We took the time to tease potential case contacts and symptoms out of client histories, so that the limited resources available could be used wisely. At the drive through testing sites, even in the pouring rain, we used our understanding of sterility to assist nurses in safe sample collection and processing. When clients asked about the differences between antigens and antibodies, serology and PCR, I was able to decode the terminology that has become common place across our media and ease worried minds. When health care providers wanted to know about test accuracy, I knew enough about epidemiology to discuss test sensitivity and specificity. Even surrounded by RNs, MDs, NPs, I, as a vet student, was able to contribute. 

Like many of my peers, I am disappointed to be practicing my suture patterns in my living room and subjecting my poor dog to feeble attempts at neurologic exams. I mourn for the lives lost to COVID 19, and feel the palpable fear of a disease we are still learning so much about. I came into veterinary school with an interest in animal public health. I admired how veterinarians were able to take control of animal diseases from agricultural supply chains to zoonotic disease outbreaks. My experience as an MRC volunteer though, has shown me that veterinarians professionals have a lot to contribute to all aspects of public health. We are community educators, sterility ninjas, and disease detectives. We know how to work with limited resources, and care for patients under all kinds of conditions. 

The MRC has given me an opportunity to help during a time that has felt helpless, and learn first hand about what it means to respond to as a health care professional during a public health emergency.