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