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Studying Abroad As A Veterinary Student

By Mary C. ’25, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student

Image of a canal in Burano, Italy, showing the colorful house colors.

One thing that I truly enjoy is traveling. I have had the opportunity to travel to many countries and it is something that I am very passionate about. Traveling to different places allows you to understand different cultures, different people, and different ways of doing things compared to your everyday life. There is so much to learn from people of different backgrounds, which is why when I learned that there are study abroad opportunities for veterinary students, I knew I had to go on one.

During the summer after my first year of vet school, I had the opportunity to go on a study abroad trip to Italy. Every year, Dr. Christine Budke, one of the public health and epidemiology veterinary professors, coordinates a study abroad trip with the veterinary school in Padova, Italy, during the summer — typically in June.

During this trip, I had the opportunity to stay with Italian veterinary students for a week and attend lectures at their school. The first week was online through Zoom and the second week was in-person learning in Italy.

While we were in Italy, we attended lectures in both the morning and afternoon with the Italian veterinary students and also did various labs with them. For example, we had one lab where we tested mozzarella cheese to see if it is, in fact, made from 100% buffalo milk, as some companies mix in other milks because it is cheaper. We also got to do a chicken necropsy in their anatomy lab. In addition, we went on field trips, touring a chicken farm and a seafood packaging plant in Venice; on the last day, we were even able to tour a zoo in Italy.

A large group of students gathered under an Italian pavillion for a photo.

This trip allowed me to learn not only about veterinary topics such as public health and food safety, but it also allowed me to learn how other veterinary schools work and it helped me learn about an entirely new culture. I was able to make lifelong friendships with people halfway around the world whom I still talk to today.

The VMBS also offers other study abroad trips for veterinary students. For example, every summer there are two different trips to South Africa that veterinary students are invited to attend, and I have heard great things about those from other vet students. Studying abroad is truly a life-changing experience. If the cost is a deterrent for you, there are scholarships available to help offset the expense of travel. For example, everyone who went on the Italy study abroad trip received a scholarship specifically to go on the trip. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a study abroad trip while in veterinary school, I highly encourage you to do it.

Summer At The Hattiesburg Zoo

By Nikki

During veterinary school, the summer is a great time to take a much-needed break from all the studying and information-processing that happens throughout the academic year. However, many students also use their summers to gain more experience, find potential employment upon graduation, or to explore new fields of veterinary medicine.

For example, I have worked in small animal medicine for six years and I had plenty of offers to work with other small animal practices this summer. However, I decided to go outside of my comfort zone this summer after I received the amazing opportunity to work at the Hattiesburg Zoo in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

A young woman in a blue shirt holding a two-toed sloth.

I grew up in Petal, Mississippi, which is a small town outside of Hattiesburg. As a kid, my family and I would go to this zoo weekly, so getting to work there all summer was a “full-circle moment” for me.

The Hattiesburg Zoo is home to more than 100 different animals including a hyena family, giraffes, zebras, a variety of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. While I was there, I got to work with the veterinary team on a variety of cases while also growing more confident in my exotic animal-handling, physical exam, technical, and communication skills.

My favorite thing about this externship was learning how to change the way I give physical exams based on the animal I was examining.

One of the most interesting cases I got to participate in was when a female ostrich named Twig broke her humerus. This accident happened the day before I started working with the zoo, so I was there to assist in her care from start to finish.

First, we helped transport Twig from Hattiesburg to the zoological medicine service at Louisiana State University to have her humerus surgically repaired. After her surgery, she was placed in a quarantined area to make sure she was able to heal appropriately.

I assisted with bandage changes, taking radiographs to ensure proper healing, anesthesia, blood sample collection, and proper handling of an ostrich during my time at the zoo.

By getting to work at the Hattiesburg Zoo, I was able to expand my comfort zone and work with species I never thought I would have. I plan to use this experience to help me gain further opportunities and pursue a career in the zoo field in the future.

A Veterinary Tour Of Texas: My Summer Externships

By Hannah J.

As we approach the halfway mark in the fall semester of my second year of veterinary school, I can’t believe time has flown by so quickly! It seems like just yesterday that I was celebrating the end of my first year of vet school and preparing to travel around Texas for my summer externships.

In veterinary school, we receive three months of summer vacation in between the first two years of our four-year program. Some students spend their summers taking a well-deserved break and choose to relax or travel while others spend their time completing externships at clinics, though most do a mix of both. I chose to do three two-week externships and spend the rest of my time traveling or hanging out with friends and family.

My first externship was located in San Antonio, where I got to stay with my sister, who currently goes to medical school there. On my first day, the clinic welcomed me with open arms and made it a priority that I learned as much as I could every day I was there. Right away, I was able to start practicing taking patient histories from the clients, which is one of the major things we spent time on during the first year of veterinary school.

An ultrasound of a patient’s urinary bladder.

In vet school, we practice taking histories by having simulated encounters with local actors hired by the school play the role of a pet or livestock owner, which allows us to learn a variety of communication skills. In San Antonio, I put these skills into practice by greeting real clients in the exam room, building rapport, and taking the history for their pet. I was with the veterinarian on each case from start to finish, and I also got to observe a variety of dental procedures and surgeries.

My next externship took me about 40 minutes away from San Antonio to the city of New Braunfels. I had never visited New Braunfels before and was very excited to be staying there for my externship.

One of the most exciting parts of this externship was getting to work with a variety of exotic patients as part of the daily caseload. During my undergraduate years, I went on a study abroad program to South Africa and was an intern at the Dallas Zoo, so I have some experience with large animal exotics and was looking forward to having new experiences with small animal exotics such as snakes, cockatiels, and guinea pigs. One of my favorite memories from this externship was going on a house-call to a kangaroo ranch where we treated a kangaroo that had been bitten by a rattlesnake.

An X-ray of an otter from one of my externships.

My last externship took place in West Texas in a town called Big Spring. I was looking forward to this externship because it would be at a diagnostic hospital that receives unique referral cases in the area. This hospital also routinely uses ultrasound and CT scans to help diagnose patients.

A smiling woman performs an ultrasound on a dog.
Performing an ultrasound on a dog during one of my externships.

As an extern there, I got to use many of the clinical skills I had learned during my first year of veterinary school. I practiced blood draws to use for canine heartworm tests, physical exams on cats and dogs, and even abdominal ultrasounds. For each case that came in, I worked closely with the veterinarian. The most memorable part of was performing my first spays on dog and cat patients. I also got to see how a CT scan is set up and performed.

Reflecting back on my summer experiences has made me realize how much I have learned and how often I was able to put the knowledge and clinical skills that I gained during my first year to use in a real-life setting! It was a very busy summer of continuing my veterinary education, but it was worth it because of all the opportunities I had. Thankfully, there was still plenty of time to relax with my family and friends and get ready for the next year.

Changing lives, one patient at a time

I think we can all agree that this summer has been… slightly out of the ordinary. In my community, I have sadly witnessed several businesses that have been forced to close their doors with no reopening in sight.

 

When it comes to animals though, their health cannot be put on hold. I was extremely fortunate to be able to maintain my position in a veterinary clinic during these past few months. Despite the overwhelming hardship that this pandemic has caused, we have been given the invaluable opportunity to use a bit of creativity and see patient care from a whole new perspective.

 

At my hospital, we have been offering “curbside service” for our clients and patients. Aside from the brief acquiring and return of the pet, all of our communication with the owners has been over the phone – from getting the history, to the doctors sharing their findings, even receiving payment for the services, while the animals are the only ones allowed inside. Although challenges with this are inevitable, I have witnessed so many more successes.

 

It can be very scary giving your beloved pet to a stranger and not being right by their side in a stressful environment. Yet from this, we are reminded of the importance and value of trust from the owners. Our clients are putting the life of their child into our hands, and we are so honored to be able to care for them amidst the craziness of the world around us. Additionally, these new operations have enabled us to strengthen our bond as a team. In the brief opportunities that I get to catch my breath in between running around and speaking over the phone, I marvel in the help and support that is always evident in the clinic, despite the stressors. Even though things might look a little different right now, and we greatly miss our typical client interactions, we are still here to enhance pets’ lives, one patient at a time.

Summer Experiences

This summer, I was lucky enough to be selected to participate in Banfield Pet Hospital’s Summer Job Program. Back in March, I was assigned to work at a clinic in Houston. The program is designed to be a mix of working as a technician and learning alongside the doctors. While I was initially concerned that the experience would be canceled due to COVID-19, everything continued as planned!

At the start of the experience, I was asked to rank my comfort level in different areas- clinical skills, communication skills, and business skills. This allowed to me to evaluate myself and think of what I wanted to get out of the program. I was able to talk with both my assigned coach doctor and the practice manager to discuss my goals- placing IV catheters, practicing drawing blood from the jugular vein, and performing physical exams. I was eager to practice the skills I learned my first year of vet school in a real clinic!

Starting day one, I was surrounded by supportive and encouraging technicians and doctors. Everyone asked what skills I wanted to hone, and were quick to say “Tabitha, come do this!”

Not only did I perform routine physical exams, but I also got to do orthopedic and neurologic exams. I also became much more confident in interpreting diagnostic tests like fecal exams and ear cytologies. I even got to scrub in on surgeries!

Getting to put everything I learned into practice this summer really enforced that I love the veterinary medicine industry. I love interacting with clients, learning new things, and working with animals with totally unique personalities. I am already looking forward to everything I will learn this coming school year.

Finding a New Home

This summer, I went on an adventure. Really, I went on many adventures, but one of them was completely veterinary related and I loved it a lot.

To better understand my adventure, you should know that I would like to move to the mountains when I graduate. I love the mountains and snow, and I don’t like it being summer until October.

So, this summer, I decided that I should try to figure out where I want to live when I graduate.

The best thing about being a veterinarian is that the entire U.S. is open to you when you graduate—everywhere needs a vet.

The worst thing about being a veterinarian is that if you have no idea where you want to live, it is hard to narrow it down—the entire country is open to you. I had narrowed it to the mountains, but there are so many mountains, so I needed to figure out more.

On July 5, I loaded up my car and started my three-day solo road trip to Idaho. Solo road trips might not be everyone’s favorite thing, but I love them.

I downloaded some books on tape and drove through areas of the U.S. that I had never been to before, like Utah and northern New Mexico. It was quite an adventure, and I am grateful that my 21-year-old car made it to Idaho. I think I worried my parents, but I was having a great time.

In Idaho, I rode with a few dairy veterinarians in the area that I was in. I had never been exposed to dairy medicine, so it was quite a new experience.

I got to see the difference in working for an operation versus having many large dairies as clients. I also had the opportunity to work with pregnant cows and got to see what the role of the veterinarian was in large-scale operations. It was a great experience that opened my eyes to the different roles of vets in different industries.

I was only in Idaho for a week, so after that week was done, I packed up my car again and drove to Bozeman, Montana, where I spent two weeks at a clinic.

Let me tell you, Bozeman is gorgeous. I loved it there. I would wake up in the mornings, and it would be 45 degrees. To put that in perspective, it is the middle of October in Texas, and I don’t think that is has gotten into the 40s yet.

I really enjoyed the clinic in Bozeman. They were willing to teach me and give me opportunities to work with them.

I really appreciate the veterinary field as a whole because most vets are willing to teach; that means that as students, we have the unique opportunity to reinforce what we are learning in class and learn about what it will be like when we graduate.

My adventure ended with my dad flying to Bozeman and driving to Yellowstone with me. We camped and hiked and saw one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been. The bison that were on the side of the road were also great!

We stayed for three days, and I was sad when we had to leave. I hope to move somewhere that will allow more access to gorgeous outdoor scenery like that.

My adventure ended on July 31 when we got home. I drove 4,330 miles in 26 days on this trip. I had so much fun, and I am so grateful for the time that veterinary students get off during the summer, which allows us to have time to choose what we want to do, whether it is veterinary related or not.

This was my last summer off before I graduate because next summer, I will be in fourth year, when we spend an entire calendar year working through the different services in the Small and Large Animal Hospitals.

I will look back on this adventure fondly, and, thankfully, I think it helped serve the purpose of learning more about the veterinary field and about where I want to move.

 

Summer Fun


There’s a quote, attributed to Brian Jackman, that says, “Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same.”

Summertime for veterinary students is a time for us to get our hands dirty using the skills we learned over the last year in the areas of veterinary medicine that we are interested in. I used my time this summer to hop a plane and fly halfway around the world to South Africa on a faculty-led study abroad trip for conservation medicine and wildlife management.

Traveling abroad exposes you to new cultures and people. I was amazed to find at one of the ranches we volunteered at that the employees were from many different countries and cultures and spoke so many languages and dialects that they couldn’t even have a full conservation! Yet, somehow, they all work together to perform the very intricate operation of immobilizing, transporting, treating, and handling wild animals.

 

One of the best parts about exploring other cultures is the food. We were fed many dishes with proteins that are uncommon back home like lamb and a variety of wild antelope species. I’m personally not very adventurous with food, and especially proteins, but all of the dishes were amazing. You have to embrace the experience and at least try it.

 

The other best part was all of the animals we visited in the zoos; watching them run wild and free over there, without much influence from mankind, creates a whole new connection to nature that I never imagined. Since getting to work hands on with rhinos, lion, sable, roan, and so many more species, I am excited to learn more about our local wildlife and how veterinarians play a role in their management.

 

I look forward to my next passport stamp, hopefully somewhere tropical. You never know what kind of connections you will make when you travel—maybe you’ll find a way to use skills that you never imagined you might have, or maybe you will discover a new passion or job opportunity.

Remember that you’re not limited to what’s right in front of you; there is a whole world out there waiting for you to explore.

Leading the Way as Veterinary School Gets Back in Full Swing

Veterinary students returned to our classes last Monday, Aug. 19, and with the new school brings excitement, challenges, and returning friends and classmates. This school year is my second in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, and it has brought and will continue to bring new opportunities for myself and others to learn and grow in our future profession.

This past summer, I had the opportunity to explore new and exciting facets of the veterinary profession by attending the Society for Theriogenology conference in Savannah, Georgia, and presenting a student case study about stallion subfertility (whether the stallion is fertile).

Additionally, I was able to complete three externships—one at an emergency equine facility in Central Texas, one at a local mixed animal practice, and the last in the clinical pathology department here at Texas A&M University.

In my time between externships, I enjoyed working back home at Top Flight Farms, a breeder of champion Dutch Warmblood sport horses, where I was there to welcome the newest member to the farm, “Ode to Joy.”

I also had an amazing opportunity this summer to step into my new role as the lead ambassador for the CVM Tours program! My predecessor, Chelsea, is now in her fourth and final year in the DVM program and is hard at work in clinical rotations. Since May, I have been working hard to fill her shoes, learn the behind-the-scenes ropes of the CVM Ambassador program, and step up to the task.

As lead ambassador, I work with the many visitors and groups that come to our college every year to help them schedule tours, as well as work with our many departments within the college to accommodate any guests they receive. The CVM works effortlessly to accommodate all of our visitors, and by offering three tours a day during the semester, we were able to welcome more than 5,000 visitors in more than 500 tours this last year alone!

This fall semester we have an outstanding 43 ambassadors, including a diverse group of 17 biomedical sciences (BIMS) undergraduate majors and 27 professional students from within the DVM program. Our schedule for the fall is set and we will be offering three tours a day, Monday through Friday, and on Saturday mornings through December.

The ambassador program is a vital part of the CVM culture and we are often the first face you see when stepping through our doors. With the semester gearing up, I am ready, excited, and looking forward to taking the role of lead CVM ambassador and seeing what the CVM Ambassador program will achieve!

Wrapping up my First Year

Janelle M.Summer is here, and I can proudly say that I have finished one year of veterinary school! The first two semesters have flown by and, yet, they feel as if they took forever, as well.

After my friends and fellow classmates finished our last final on May 3, it finally hit us that we have completed our hardest school year. What felt “endless” had finally come to a finality, and we were in shock that our life-altering education had reached a moment of pause and rest.

Now, we have reached the months during which we can fully gel and absorb all that we learned.

I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience, and I didn’t do it alone. My class of 2022 has always felt like a unit, and I feel a bit sad about not seeing my unit day-to-day during these couple of months.

We did wish each other a wonderful and, more importantly, restful summer, but a few of us are working, myself included, while others are pursuing internships or going home to relax with family. Nonetheless, College Station will not be the same once everyone leaves this week.

My personal plans include working in the Small Animal Hospital and I’m so thrilled to apply all that I learned into a clinical setting. Being able to perform blood draws and catheters and take fluid rates and dosages hardly touches the number of skills I’ve gained this year, but it brings me closer to the professional that I aim to be after these couple of years.

My confidence level has soared further than I could have believed possible and I’m pumped to be working in the animal hospital.

Besides that, I will do more relaxing activities, too, this summer!

Two weekends of Schlitterbahn with the family may just do the trick with this Texas summer heat. Maybe going to a few reunions with some of my old friends who pulled through with me during our undergraduate years. It’s hard to believe I haven’t seen some of my friends since 2016.

This August, I plan having some me time and focusing on replenishing my energy for fall semester. It’s sort of crazy for me to already be considering my plans with next semester but I am honestly pumped to start as a second year.

It will come sooner than expected, but I’ll be ready for it, after, of course, I enjoy a little vacation time.

A Well-Deserved Summer

Ashlee A.As I write this entry, I am learning how it feels to make my own schedule after finishing my first year of veterinary school!

This year I have learned so much about veterinary medicine and, especially, myself.

This summer I plan to enjoy time with family, visit different veterinary practices, and help with a few research projects while applying all of the knowledge that I’ve gained this year.

In first year, we have taken almost 50 exams over many hours of lectures and labs, so it’s very easy to feel lost, defeated, and exhausted.

However, we have learned much more than we ever thought we could, and we know how to apply it.

Looking back on this quick year I am so proud of myself and my classmates for the things we have accomplished.

We’ve learned how important it is to learn and retain base veterinary information, we are a network of support for each other, and we are one-fourth of the way to being doctors!

I am excited to return as a 2VM and build on this foundation, but I’m thankful for a well-deserved summer.