The Future Is Mine: Job Shadowing

 By: Nicole

Introduction

 Occupation and Title: Dr. Rebecca Krejci DVM  Equine veterinarian from Canon Hill Veterinary Clinic in Washington, PA  She started by shadowing a small animal veterinarian at the age of six.

 Her connection with animals and the love of horses drove her to become a veterinarian.

 After graduating, she moved to Montana to pursue her goal, until she became homesick and found a job close to home.

Qualifications

 To become an equine veterinarian no equine experience is needed  A high school diploma and a bachelor's degree is required .

 You may study as an undergraduate for four years but this is not required.

 After schooling, you must apply and be accepted into a veterinary program for four years.

Qualifications

 High school educational background in biology, chemistry, and trigonometry.

 You must interview in front of two separate doctors on the board of veterinary medicine  Tests taken…  GRE  VCAT

Qualifications

 Experience required: comfort level with animals and also a background working with animals  Must have a good personality with humor, compassion, and major people skills.

 A technological background is not required because the experience and knowledge comes from the company.

Duties

 Work at least a ten hour work shift  Four days plus Saturday = fifty hours minimum  Four days plus weekend = sixty hours maximum  Spring and summer are the busiest times of the months, while fall and winter are slightly slower.

 Much hands-on experience is required…  Giving injections (intramuscular and intravenous), dealing with emergencies and critical conditions

Duties

 Overseeing other veterinarians on staff and the veterinary technicians  Depending on the vet-tech to assist you in need of help, the owners for cooperating with the vet, and lastly the cooperation of the horse.  Only when you are on call for the day do you take your work home  Scheduling and appointment times depend on the vets

Salary and Benefits

 Salary ranges from $45,000 average starting out to $200,000+  Average range is $50,000-$100,000  Employer pays for continual education and have chances for bonuses  Raises can be earned through outstanding dedication and years of service

Personal Satisfaction

 Best part of the job is working with the horses and helping them in any way possible.

 Worst part is being on call and losing family time during emergencies.

 Keeping up with technology by installing a new computer system in the clinic to keep better records of the horses and owners

Personal Satisfaction

 Away from work you have a three day weekend but the hours in between can be difficult on the family and is only reached through an understanding spouse.

 Further opportunities in this field are...

 Further degrees – PHD  Board certified in specific area  Teaching at universities  Saving animals lives or allowing the suffering to end is the best satisfaction given.

Advice and Future Advancements

 Advice to a student: “Family is the number one priority! Do not let the job ruin your family because of the hours. IT IS JUST A JOB!”  Future changes: Incorporating a family into the job by having multiple doctors on call to even the work load. For large animals there will be a 3:1 ration from women to men. Also there will be an increase in small animal vets and a scarce supply for large animal vets.