My Work Experience - Zara, Veterinary Assistant! :) UPDATE: PM me for pics

[Miss Z]

For the next two weeks, I'm going to be working as a veterinary assistant at a small and large animal practice for my work experience!

For those of you who may not know what WE is, it's a chance for pupils in my year at school to take time off to experience working in a business or other field of employment, usually along the lines of whatever they wish to become when they leave school. Of course, I have wanted to be a vet ever since I was about 3. It was difficult to find a practice willing to take on a fifteen year old, as the health and safety paperwork that comes with me is astronomical, but thankfully I've found a really great practice and I'm sure I'm going to love it.

I've already been for an interview and met my supervisor. I'll be doing lots of really interesting things, such as regarding operations and of course making sure all the animals are comfortable, as well as maybe helping vets in the clinics and watching them diagnose each pets' ailments. Of course I'll have to do stuff like cleaning as well, but it's all part of the experience, and I'm already used to that from the RSPCA shelter!

I'll be updating this thread with info and maybe some pics (since they've kindly allowed me to take my camera) as the fortnight progresses. I'm going to be very busy, vets work Monday to Friday, shelter work Saturday, and Sunday, well, other than horse riding, I guess it's Tia's, Nightshade's, Ebony's and Twilight's day.

So, watch this space!

[Killearn Kitties]

What a fantastic work experience job to get! Well done you.
I really hope you enjoy it and let us know how you get on.

[Freedom]

Wow that is fantastic, it will really help you to decide what area you enjoy best. We have general vets of course, but also a emergency and specialist hospital near by. The ER part is just that, open 24/7. The specialists work with eyes (Sugar had her cataract surgery there), cancer and tons of other specialists. what a wonderful opportunity. Best wishes, the time will fly by for you I bet!

[Taz_Zoee]

Good for you!! I am sure you will love it and maybe get a job there in the future as well. Can't wait to hear all about your experience.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read all of your updates and see the pictures that you post. Good luck!!!

[lizbud]

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. Best of luck to you.

[Jadapit]

What a wonderful opportunity! I bet your so excited, I know I would be. Your going to learn so much. I agree with moosmon you will do great! I'll be watching for the stories you have to share with us.

[Randi]

Congratulations! It's a really good opoortunity to see what's it like working as a vet. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Good luck!

[Flatcoatluver]

Congrats and I am so happy for you Zara! That sounds like a lot of fun!

[Miss Z]

Thanks so much everyone!

Well the first day was really interesting. I've watched an operation on a little dog, she was spayed, microchipped and had her dew claws removed. I also watched a few consultations, mostly on dogs, which felt funny to be on the other side of the black table (lol), and I got to mix the vaccines and put them in the syringe.

And I got to interact and look after the animals too! There is an adorable little kitten there whom I played with for a bit, and there was even a tibetan terrier who was having his hips x-rayed who is the grandson of Fabulous Willie, winner of Crufts!

So it was a really great first day. I'll be getting some pics soon, maybe some tomorrow, but definitely some over this next week. I don't know how many I'll be able to get of animals themselves, as quite a few are, of course, sick and maybe upset by a camera, but I'll ask and see what I can do.

Also, it's funny to see pets at the opposite ends of the spectrum. The ones at the vets are those most cared for and evidently well loved, whereas at the shelter you see those whose owners just didn't care. It's odd how people, as pet owners, are so varied.

So, I'll update this thread again when I have some pics!

[Kalei]

Wow sounds like a great first day! And by the sounds of your first day, so far I would like being a Vet's Assistant

[Miss Z]

OK, here's my update!

Well first of all, I have some pics now, but I've decided that the practice may not wish to have photos of their daily work posted on a site for all to see. Therefore, if you would like to see them, please PM me and I'll be more than happy to send them to you. Of course, please bear in mind that some pics are of operations, and that some contain scenes of animals being operated on with some blood and maybe organs visible. I assure you that there's nothing horrfically graphic in there, but for those who may be a little faint hearted, just tell me in your PM that you wish those to be left out. If I take any more photos throughout the course, I will automatically send those to you all too.

The work has been really interesting, I've seen lots of ops and consults, encountering a few really mad owners along the way I've also witnessed two euthanasias, which, of course, were sad, but was really the kindest thing for the animals in question. And best of all I've been looking after the patients and making sure they're all comfortable. So far there's been no farm callouts, so fingers crossed there'll be one soon because it would be really interesting to watch, but I've visited the sister practice so have seen two different surgeries in operation.

It's been so great so far, a real worthwhile work experience.

[Miss Z]

Sorry I haven't updated for so long, I've been so busy lately not only with the work experience, but schoolwork for a very important exam I have coming up this Monday. I've had very little time for PT!

The experience was amazing beyond words, I've done so much and learnt far more than I thought I would. When I got back to school, I realised how lucky I was to be able to get involved in so much, a few people were on coffee-making and paper-shredding duties!

One of the really interesting things was going to watch cattle castration and dehorning, which is a mucky job and definitely NOT for the faint hearted. I had to wear overalls, which I at first thought would be unnecessary as I was merely a spectator, but by the end I my hands and arms were soaked in blood and the smell of the farm stayed with me all day. I also went to watch and assist in stitching up a horse.

I was lucky enough to be allowed to administer my own injections to a cat, which is something I will never forget! Also, I witnessed a post-mortem on a dog (again, very gory stuff) after it had to be PTS from suspected liver damage. I did witness a couple of euthanasias during my experience, and whilst it was a sad time, it really was the right thing to do considering the state of the animals. I was really, truly sorry to leave, but the people there were so kind and complementary, saying that I was the best work experience student they'd ever had and that I can go back anytime I like!

I have a couple more pics, but only of animals which I will send to the people who requested pics before, and of course, if you would like to see all the pics, with or without the op pics, then pm me.

All in all, I have not been put of becoming a vet one bit!