Up to my armpits

Winner, Experiences category
Justin Padgett, Auburn University 

 

The stories of James Herriot, Charlie Edwards, and other old country veterinarians fill the minds of each veterinary student as they set off on their pursuit of their veterinary career. Each pre-vet and veterinary student is encouraged by, and hopes to one day become, just like the veterinarians of old that were central pillars in their communities. The doctors of 50, 60, 70 years ago imparted important, helpful knowledge,  applied skills to save their neighbors beloved pet and/or farm, and were cornerstones of integrity and respect that helped build the veterinary profession into what it is today. I know firsthand of many of today’s students  who aspire to join a small farming community and carry on these romantic visions of a life as a skilled, helpful and respected mixed animal veterinarian. 

 

There is doubt, however, as to whether this life exists anymore. Growing up in the suburban South East, I was convinced that the life of the country gentlemen veterinarian was extinct. Often times it seemed that veterinary medicine was too specialized now and that much of it was becoming corporatized to the point that there may one day be a small animal clinic in a Super Wal-Mart. While many advances of specialized practice and big money from corporations are great, these kind of benefits come with the risk of rubbing a little of the soul out of the old county vet.  

 

Luckily for me, I was able to spend a short externship last winter with the veterinarians of Ashland Veterinary Hospital in Ashland, OH.  I came to know that the respected, needed, and recognized veterinarian still exists. In fact, they are alive and well. The small practice in North Central Ohio is home to three mixed animal practitioners (Drs. Gingrich, Brennan, and Yoakam) that have carved out the kind of life in the relatively small town of 20,000 that everyone reads about in the tales of old veterinary practitioners. They operate two offices, one that exclusively sees the small animal patients of Ashland, and another that is considered central operations for the herd health of just over 100 local dairies.  

 

I began my externship the minute I ran out of the finals in Auburn and booked it to OH. I arrived on a Thursday afternoon and was immediately assigned the task of heading to a local dairy to score teats with another veterinary extern, Dale, a student form The Ohio State University. Dale was kind enough to show me the ropes and give me a run-down as we hit the back roads in search of the dairy. From the time I arrived until my departure a short 11 days later, the work never really slowed down. 

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Experiences: Parawild African wildlife management course

Winner, Experiences category
Bradley Venable, Auburn University '14

Do you know just how adventurous the veterinary profession can be? Full of twists and turns, some of which you could never be prepared for.  Our profession provides a world of opportunity waiting for you to take advantage of it. I definitely didn’t anticipate the story I am about to tell you.

The minute I signed up for the Parawild African Wildlife management course at Western Kentucky University, I knew I was in for a treat. I was set for a month long stay at various locations throughout South Africa, which involved capturing and relocating wild game for conservation purposes. Just about 22 hours of flights put this small town Kentucky boy in a daze. I was exhausted but exhilarated to be working with leopards, kudu, elephants, giraffes, and impala among othWorking on a kudu.ers including the infamous zebra. Throughout the course of the trip we were given crash courses on darting, animal behavior, conservation biology, anesthesia, and animal restraint. None of which could ever prepare me for what was to happen. It was our last day at the Phelwanna game lounge and it was absolutely perfect. The winter sun was glaring and the wind was just enough to provide relief but not quite strong enough to reveal our ninja like movements. That day, our mission was to capture three zebra and relocate them via horse trailer. We had successfully immobilized and loaded up the first two targets by means of an M99 cocktail and were administering the reversal to the third when it happened in a flash. One second I stood firmly on two feet; the next, I was flat on my back on the dry South African soil. In shock, I was left to wonder if I had signed up for this kind of adventure.

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