STEPHANIE HERZOG

Almost everyone ponders working with animals at some point in their lifetime, largely due to the innate bond we feel with our pets as children.  As we grow into adults, virtually all of us develop a deep sense of respect and responsibility for the welfare of animals. For many it is a fading aspiration eventually to be replaced, but for some, an avid interest in animals develops into a lifelong career in the field of veterinary medicine.

Each year more than 11,000 students enroll in one of the twenty eight veterinary schools in the United States, and the figures continue to rise every year. The field of veterinary medicine is a consistently popular area of interest for young students, however experience with injured animals and current veterinary techniques is not easy to come by.

Coupled with the fact that most applicants to veterinary school do not reach graduation, it becomes apparent that many of these students simply did not understand the field they were getting into. When high school students are faced with innumerable options and armed with precious little hands on experience, a chance to test the waters before taking the plunge of choosing a profession can mean the difference between failure and success.

With this in mind, the Florida Veterinary League has created a new summer program enabling local high school students to explore the world of veterinary science. The clinic has seen a terrific amount of interest in veterinary medicine from the community over the years, and has a steady stream of local volunteers who help out with the “dirty work”, such as cleaning kennels and doing laundry. However, after seeing how many inquiries came from students considering a career in the field, Director of Medical Services Heather Stevens decided to incorporate a new volunteer program for students that focuses on career education.

The concept is to offer an inside look at working in a vet’s office to help them make a more informed career decision. Student is seeking real world experience in the veterinary profession can now apply through their high school to the Vet League volunteer program and receive volunteer hours while they complete a five week course over the summer.

This means that students are able to gain specialized education in animal medicine at no cost, as well as receiving hands on practice learning the ins and outs of the profession they are considering.

The application process for the Veterinary League volunteer program is selective due to overwhelming interest- but the good news is the only requirement for acceptance is a love of animals. On student applications, the Veterinary League asks only for a name, age, and a paragraph explaining why the applicant would like to participate in the program. This past summer the Veterinary League accepted six volunteers and put them through a five week long program which totaled 25 hours of service for each volunteer.

During week one of the program, each volunteer got the opportunity to shadow a vet technician for a day, following techs into exam rooms with animals and their owners, learning to take vital information down on pets before their exam. For week two, volunteers spent a day in reception greeting people and managing files. Week three entailed following the vet during his daily exam appointments, and week four brought every volunteer into an operating room to observe surgery.

After all six volunteers spent time learning each aspect of veterinary practice they were given the final week of the program to repeat their favorite aspect of working at the Vet League. Once they completed the program, each volunteer received a certificate of completion and 25 volunteer hours, which apply toward the varying requirements of local schools.

This summer marks the successful completion of the first year of the program, and the staff at the Florida Veterinary League has hopes of expanding to include more volunteers next summer. This program offers the perfect opportunity for students with an abiding interest in veterinary science on the cusp of choosing a field of study, as well as a unique way to give back to the community while exploring future career options. The Veterinary League is always accepting volunteer applications from anyone, and will begin reviewing and choosing student volunteers next May.