Something I've been itching to blog about for some time is my work as veterinary technician and my journey to being a veterinarian. I read
this article this morning from the NY times about how vets have 2:1 debt to income ratio and how the demand for veterinarians is decreasing more the bureau of labor is reporting.
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| Charlotte, a rescue puppy |
The number one thing I hear from almost every person I divulge my career goal to is "I could never do that" followed by a look of pity/accusation. Most every time they mean euthanasia, but sometimes it's seeing hurt animals. Here's the thing: I can do that. It can still be emotionally trying, but with every experience I learn to cultivate equanimity, and through these experiences I gain compassion and drive to better veterinary medicine as a whole. I feel sometimes as though I've developed a sort of motor, fueled by emotions. Many veterinarians I've worked with feel the same, and are some of the strongest, most compassionate people I've known. However I've worked with few vets that have actually tried to talk me out of vet school because they're unhappy.. The funny thing is, those vets are unhappy because they don't make enough money. So I had to spend some time thinking about if making bunches of money is something I want to do.
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| Really old picture of me and Kagomei at work |
When I became a technician four years ago, I wanted to work with animals because I "hated working with people". The thing I've come to find in the last four years is that animals have this amazing ability to bring out the best in people. If there is a tiny glimmer of love in someone's heart, a pet can draw if out. But life in vet med isn't all a fairy tale. There are jerks too. But when faced with those jerks, I find veterinarians draw from their own well of compassion and spend enormous amount of time talking to and educating people, as well as tirelessly working to do the best thing for the animal. And I want to be one of those people.
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| At times, there are kittens in my pocket. |
Moral of the story? I want to heal animals, and help people. But I probably won't ever drive a Porsche. And I'm ok with that.
Ahhh I think that's great! I've always wanted to become a veterinarian but here in Belgium it's hard if you didn't study science in high school. I love that this is your goal! :) xo
ReplyDeleteLOVE. I love your compassion and attitude. I wish there were more people like you!! xoxo!
ReplyDelete"At time, there are kittens in my pocket"- I love it! I volunteered at the SPCA for about 6 years doing foster care, specifically for litters of kittens who had lost their mother, etc. It was sometimes SO hard and sad but the rewarding parts always outweighed the sad parts! I loved our old vet tech there she was the best and I think its amazing you are following this career path!
ReplyDeletexo Hannah
Your blog is absolutely lovely!
ReplyDeletehttp://adventures-in-procrastination.blogspot.ca/
This brought tears to my eyes. The animal kingdom and all animal lovers should thank you for existing. It is people like you that help my pets when I can't, you help me and my family sleep at night when our pups aren't feeling well. It is a big responsibility you have, and I'm glad you take it on with such compassion and love. It warms my heart!
ReplyDeleteI get along better with animals too. If only it was acceptable to go for coffee with dogs, I'd probably be a much happier and peaceful person.
amyflyingakite.com
Vet work is expensive. I think some vets are better than others, yes, but I also don't think they make a ton of money. It sucks that they are not as happy - it's awful to be in a career you don't like. I can see it though - people are kind of mean to the vets too! I try and be happy there -my dogs actually quite love the vet. I think id you are doing what you love, helping animals, you'll be so happy.
ReplyDeleteI have a huge admiration for good vets (unfortunately, as you said, there are many unhappy in their careers and this shows!). It's such a challenging job in so many ways, and with little financial reward. I realise how valueable a great vet can be. My vet at the moment has taken risks and operated on my 14 yr old dog when many said they wouldn't just because of her age (she's seriously the most healthy 14 yr old dog I've ever met, she bounces around with young dogs and is still as cheeky as she was when she was a pup!). She came out of the operation with a new lease of life and no more tooth pain. I'm so lucky to have found a vet willing to work with us!
ReplyDeleteWow Chantal that's great! I've certainly worked with a few vets that blantenly would not do surgeries on older pets, but the best ones are like your vet-evaluate the patient in an individual basis and see if the benefit outweighs the risk. Congratulations on finding a great vet!
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