Interesting things happening...

I have seen and learned a lot of things while at my mentorship this month, but one thing stood out to me the most. I overheard technicians and mentor discuss what they believed to be wrong with two cats that had been brought in by West End Animal Shelter. The shelter didn't tell them what was wrong so it made things difficult. Technicians were preparing to take blood and give injections to one of the West End cats, when it flew off the table, hissed, and tried to scratch the technicians. Technicians then placed the cat in the "cat box" with gas attached to it. I had never seen this box used before so I found it very interesting. I learned that the box is used to sedate cats that can't be controlled or freak out. The gas slowly sedated the cat so the technicians could work on it. One technician, named Julia, told me that they have to work fast before the gas wears off because the cat could wake up at any moment. They also have to make sure the cat is all the way sedated before they remove it from the box because it could also wake up suddenly. December was an overall good and busy month at the clinic. I'm glad to do my mentorship there and look forward to witnessing more exciting things.

Further Volunteer Work At Priceless Pets

I have finished my hours for my independent component, but still continue to volunteer at Priceless Pets because I enjoy working with the animals. Volunteering at Priceless Pets is very enjoyable for me. There is always things to be done such as wash dishes, walk dogs, clean kennels, feed dogs, and so much more. I get to interact with so many amazing and loving cats and dogs. I have grown attached to many of these animals and want to further volunteer my time to help them.
Recently, a small dachshund-chihuahua mix named Stymie came into the shelter with his mom. He is still a puppy and the mom is still a little protective over him. There was a litter of puppies, but they all got adopted and Stymie is the only one left. Him and his mom are both sweethearts and enjoy playing with the volunteers. I hope they get adopted into a loving home soon.

Blog 10: EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.  a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

• Follows the rule of three.
• Question is not too general. Is specific in healthy weight loss and not just weight loss in general. The wording makes sense and can argue a point.

     b. What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

• Follows the rule of three.
• The wording is very specific and calls for depth of research. This question also takes a stance and is arguable. 

     c. What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

• Does not follow the rule of three.
• Question seems to general. There could be a list of answers.

     d. How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

• Does not follow the rule of three.
• This question is general and can be answered in a list.

3. How can a veterinarian and veterinary technician work together to best treat an injured or sick animal?

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I am proud of my props (scrubs and pictures from the clinic). I am also proud of my connection to a pediatrician and a veterinarian. I feel that helped explain what a veterinarian does in a way for everyone to understand.

2. Questions to Consider 

a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

AP

b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.

I feel I deserve this grade because I reference my interview and mentorship, I referenced specific examples from my research, I felt like I projected my voice and also tried to make eye contact with people. I didn't reference a published source and I'm unsure if I engaged the audience as much as I could have.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1? 

Having my lesson plan with me while I presented help me remember what points to make, when to make them, and when to insert my references.

4. (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

I would have added more content to my lesson plan so I would have more to talk about. I felt like I hit all my points, but still had a lot of time left. If I added more content, I wouldn't have trouble  making time. I also would create a better hook because I feel I could've engaged the audience more.

Starting Independent Component 1

In addition to my mentorship at the clinic, I have started volunteering at Priceless Pets Orphanage in Chino Hills as part of my independent component. I volunteer twice a week for two hours each day. I walk dogs, clean kennels, wash bowls, do laundry, and anything else that needs to be done. I enjoy walking dogs most because I get to be outside and interact with them more. One dog that has stood out to me the most is a terrier mix named Maggie. She is still a puppy and very playful. I enjoy playing with her and walking her. I hope she finds a home soon. It is very exciting and interesting to see the different dogs and cats that come into the orphanage. They are all sweet and are waiting for the right person to come and adopt them. I am looking forward to volunteering more at Priceless Pets.

Maggie

Taking a break on our walk.

Giving kisses while on a walk.

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1. What is your working EQ?

What does the job of a veterinarian entail?

2. What is a possible answer to your working EQ?
The main purpose of a veterinarian is to ensure and protect the health and well-being of both animals and people.

3. What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?
The most important source that I have found to answer my EQ is the book Career Opportunities: Working With Animals by Shelly Field. This book describes all jobs that involve working with animals. This helps answer my EQ because it describes the job of a large and small animal veterinarian. It also goes into detail about what these types of veterinarians do and the differences between both. The book explained a general description of the job, salary, employment prospects, education and training, experience and skills needed, special requirements, and tips for entry into this field of study. 

4. Who is your mentor, or where are you doing your mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?
My mentor is Dr. Gene Metzger. I am mentoring at his small vet clinic in Chino. This relates to my EQ because I am able to be in the clinic environment and observe both my mentor and the vet techs. This allows me to observe what the job of a veterinarian entails and therefore answer my EQ.

A Look Inside the Clinic...

I have been going to the veterinary clinic every week since the end of August. I am there for two hours Monday and Tuesday. I am also planning to go on Saturdays because they are very busy and I will be able to observe more things, as well as earn more hours at a time. While being at the clinic, I have learned how the technicians take x-rays, prep animals for major and minor surgeries, how they bandage animals, and so much more. Being able to observe what goes on at the veterinary clinic has helped me further understand the job duties of a veterinary technician versus a veterinarian. Overall, it has been a great experience so far and I'm excited to put in more hours.

Back of clinic where patients are taken and observed.

Surgical table in surgery room.

Kennel run where all dogs that are boarding, waiting for surgery, or recovering from surgery are taken.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
For the 30 hours, I plan to take a college class, Orientation and Careers in AHS (Animal Health Science), and volunteer at Priceless Pets Animal Shelter in Chino Hills. The class will give me information on what classes to take, prerequisites needed, and careers that are available within the Animal Health Science field. Volunteering at the animal shelter will expose me to a different side of animal care and allow me to experience what it's like to run a business. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

For the college class, I can show my transcript after I have completed the class. I could also show essays and work that I complete for the class. For volunteering, I could bring in pictures of the shelter and what I do there. I could also bring in the shirt that I'm required to wear and a copy of the log of how many hours I volunteered.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

 Taking a college class will show me what it would be like to major in animal science. Volunteering at the animal shelter will give me hands on experience and show me a different job that still involves working with animals. 

Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
My mentor is Dr. Gene Metzger. He works at Country Animal Clinic in Chino.

2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?
- Did you always want to become a veterinarian? Why? If not, what did you want to be?
- I've heard this is a highly competitive field, what types of obstacles did you encounter when studying to become a vet?
- What is the difference between VMD and DVM?
- Where did you get your undergraduate degree? Your graduate?
- What is it like owning and operating your own clinic?

Blog 5: Mentorship and Research Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?

 I was originally going to mentor my aunt’s friend who had recently graduated from veterinary school, but I learned that she works in Apple Valley and I wasn’t going to commute there two or more times a week.  So I decided to find a mentor closer to home. I wrote a letter to my current mentor, Dr. Gene Metzger, and he called me and said he would be glad to be my mentor. I have taken my dogs to Dr. Metzger for years and that is why I decided to contact him.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

 The most important article I have read is by Tanja Z called Veterinary Job Description from Healthcare Salary World.com. This was the most important and informative because it gave detail about what courses to take in order to become a vet. It stated what certificates, degrees, and tests are required for this job. It also gave a detailed description of the basics of what Veterinarians do.

First Days of Mentorship

I have only been able to go to the Veterinary clinic a couple times since school started. During my time there I was able to talk to the staff about animals that had recently come in and what their conditions were. I observed as they gave a few week old kitten an X-Ray in order to find out what was wrong with his stomach. Luckily, there wasn't any serious problems with the kitten and he was able to go home that day. I was also able to help the staff count out pills and clean surgical instruments. It is great to be in the clinic environment and able observe the different animals that come in. While I haven't done much at my mentorship so far, I plan to go there two to three times a week and gain more knowledge and insight.

Sign at front of clinic

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan on interviewing my mentor, Dr. Gene Metzger, first. I want to interview him first because I feel that the information he will give me will be a good foundation for the rest of my research. 

2. You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask? 

How long have you been a veterinarian?

What caused you to choose this career path?

Have you always wanted to become a veterinarian? Why? If not, what did you want to be?

I’ve heard this is a competitive field, what types of obstacles did you encounter when studying to become a vet?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. Veterinary Medicine

2. What does the job of a veterinarian entail?

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

Literal:

1. Google Doc

2. What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?
  - Country Animal Clinic (909)-627-3561

3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them.
    - How can I incorporate this into an activity for my senior presentation?
    - What can I draw from this experience and present to the class?
    - What are the differences between a veterinarian and a veterinary technician?

Interpretive:

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

During this experience, I gained respect for what veterinarians and veterinary technicians do for these animals. This is what I gained  the most because I witnessed what they do and the skill and knowledge it takes to perform this job. They are on their feet for eight or more hours a day and constantly on the move. I experienced how tiring and draining, both mentally and physically, this job can be. They not only have to deal with the animals, but also their owners. They all have to work together and communicate well, not only with each other but also with the customers, in order to have a successful business.

Applied:

5. What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

 I am going to stick to veterinary medicine as my senior topic. Mentoring at the veterinary clinic helped me further understand what veterinarians do and what goes on inside the clinic. This experience sparked my interest in veterinary medicine even more and allowed me to come to the realization that I want to pursue this as a career.

Blog 1: 2-Hour Presentations

1.     What presentations did you see?

·         Pharmacy – Dilan D.

·         Cosmetology -  Emily V.

·         Photography Galleries – Viviana B.

·         Film Production – Francisco G.

·         Photography – Symphony M.

·         Bikram Yoga – Jessica H.

·         Public Defender – Nisa L.

·         Photography Studio – Angel F.

·         Surfing – Garett S.

·         Theater Tech. – Johnathan S.

·         Pharmaceutical – Ralph H.

·         Animal Adoption – Briana A.

·         Coffee Shop Management – Brandon R.

·         Nursing – Allyana S.

·         Party Planning – Leslie N.

·         Animal Care – Daisy Z.

2.     What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.

How many mentor-ship hours are needed?

Does the ten hours required over the summer count towards the 50?

How many activities are required?

Other than not making time, what other factors can hurt your grade?

3.     What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

I could tell from watching the seniors present that making sure they spoke for 30 minutes was the most important thing. Many had their friends time them and report how long they had been talking. 

4.     What topic are you considering doing and why?

I am considering doing my senior presentation on veterinary medicine and the aspects of that field. I want to do this because I am considering becoming a veterinarian and having that experience will help me decide if it is the right career for me. I also love animals and think it would be great to work with them and get hands-on experience. 

5.      What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

Over the summer, I will be mentoring with a veterinarian. My mentor has recently graduated from veterinary school and is starting her job this summer. I plan to shadow her and get an idea of the type of work that she does.