PDF Scholarship Experience: Nicole DiLevo

VCA University Animal Hospital - PDF scholarship

During the last two weeks of my clinical year I had the amazing opportunity to complete an externship at VCA University Animal Hospital on Oahu, Hawaii. I was awarded a Professional Development Fund scholarship through SAVMA which really helped me be able to afford externing in Hawaii. VCA University Animal Hospital is a five-doctor general practice in the heart of Honolulu. Two veterinarians work a day, one performs dentals and surgeries while the other sees appointments. I had the opportunity to work with all 5 doctors and they were honestly all amazing. The staff overall was so welcoming and made me so comfortable my entire stay! I was able to assist in several dental procedures, ranging from prophylactic cleanings to extractions, and got to practice taking dental radiographs. It was helpful to see cases in a different region of the United States and discuss how diseases and treatment options change from place to place. For example, Hawaii is a rabies free island. Therefore, it is not one of their core vaccines, and pet owners only vaccinate for rabies if they are traveling to the mainland. The doctors at this hospital also do a lot of the hands-on work, so I was able to take their place and practice many technical skills, like blood draws, catheter placements for surgeries and dentals, and monitor anesthesia, which was great practice. I was assigned to one doctor each day I was there and performed my own physical exams, and then discussed the cases and treatment options with the doctor after each patient’s appointment. The pace at the hospital provided just enough time to do so which was super helpful. I also had a few days off during my two week stay and was able to explore the entire island. The staff gave me great recommendations for food to try and places to explore. This externship was seriously the best way to end my clinical year and final year of veterinary school.