Blog 21: Mentorship

Literal

•       Updated log
•       Dr. Gene Metzger, Country Animal Clinic

Interpretive

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

I feel like the most important thing I gained from this experience was the relationships with the staff at the clinic. I was able to learn from them and understand their point of view on the field. They were very helpful in answering my questions and I feel I gained a lot of knowledge about veterinary medicine from them.

Applied

     How has what you’ve done helped you to answer your EQ?  Please explain.

By mentoring at the clinic, I was able to see how the veterinarian and technicians work together. This allowed me to come up with my three answers to my essential question. All of my three answers are ways that the vet and veterinary technicians worked together at my mentorship.

Blog 12: Mentorship 10 hours check

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

            Country Animal Clinic

2.   Who is your contact?

            Dr. Gene Metzger

3.   How many total hours have you done? 

            32 hours

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.

For the ten hours, I was introduced to the staff, as well as my mentor, in the clinic. I was shown around the clinic and got to witness the types of procedures and services they offer. I got to see a dog get spayed on my first day there. Later on, I got to see the technicians perform different procedures such as nail clippings, vaccinations, ear cleanings, inserting IVs, and many more.

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 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.