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.

[moosmom]

Zara,

What a wonderful opportunity! I KNOW you'll do well!

[theterrierman]

Wow! That sounds like it would be a really good experience, Zara. So are you going to be witnessing operations and that kind of stuff? Sounds like fun anyway.

Andy

[Kalei]

Yay! This is so exciting! Telling me what its like is going to help me out alot since I'm thinking of being a Vet's Assistant and going for the course. I can't wait to hear about it and see pics

And I bet you will have a great time!

[Lilith Cherry]

Good luck Zara! Enjoy the experience. I am sure you will gain much insight from during the time you are there.

[Blue_Frog]

Hey Zara -- sounds like it should be really interesting there for you! Looking forward to updates and pics

[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!