Running head: AN OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE 1

An Overview of Clinical Veterinary Medicine

Noah A. Martin

STEM Program, Harrison High School

Adv Scientific Internship / Adv Scientific Research IV

Paulette Allard

April 16. 2021

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Career Choice.................................................................................................................3

Introduction..................................................................................................................................3

Job Description............................................................................................................................4

A Day in the Life.........................................................................................................................6

Pros and Cons...............................................................................................................................8

Chapter 2: From Here to There........................................................................................................9

Profession Profile.........................................................................................................................9

Education...................................................................................................................................10

Budgeting...................................................................................................................................12

Chapter 3: Personal Assessment....................................................................................................14

My Skills....................................................................................................................................14

My Personality...........................................................................................................................15

My Motivation...........................................................................................................................16

Chapter 4: Productivity..................................................................................................................17

My Project..................................................................................................................................17

Career Connection......................................................................................................................19

References......................................................................................................................................21
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Chapter 1: Career Choice

Introduction
Veterinary medicine has always been appealing to me as a potential career option,

though I was not sure that was the direction I wanted to head in until relatively recently. I had

initially wanted to pursue human medicine. This was mostly due to the heavy emphasis on

medical science during my high school career. The STEM program focused on various aspects of

the medical field such as anatomy, pathology, and many other clinical aspects. Throughout my

search for a potential career, I have taken multiple quizzes and assessments to determine a good

fit for me. Most of them, including a recent quiz from CareerOneStop I took as part of an

assignment for my senior STEM course, indicated heavily that I should pursue a medical

centered career, either involving science, research, patient care, or even science education

(Martin, 2021). I believe those results were mostly accurate, and a fair assessment of my skills

and interests that translate very well to the veterinary profession.

Though STEM classes were the initial spark for my love of the medical field, my

experience working at a veterinary clinic solidified my desire to work as a veterinarian. I have

worked in the kennel and boarding facility at Brookstone Animal Hospital in Acworth, Georgia

for over two years, and in that time, I took in every aspect of the clinic, and I found that I really

had a passion for the profession. My main job is in the kennel, where I walk, feed, bathe, and

clean up after dogs and cats. I realize that a kennel position is not the best for gaining veterinary

experience, but I have made sure to soak in all I can regardless. I work closely with the

veterinarians and veterinary technicians at the hospital by monitoring the health of boarding

animals and scheduling appointments for those that exhibit signs of illness. I also often help vet

techs and veterinarians during examinations and procedures. Through that job, I have had
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countless experiences that have led me to want to pursue the profession. I have sat in on my own

dog’s surgery, worked with and helped to improve aggressive or problematic dogs, and even

aided in canine CPR.

Job Description
Veterinary medicine is an incredibly varied and diverse field. Veterinarians are able to

work in a number of various career specialties. A certified veterinarian can take on a career in

pathology, research, teaching, food production, or even ecological rehabilitation and research. In

terms of clinical veterinarians though, there are also many options. The main one being small

animal clinics. These are the kinds of vets you bring your dog, cat, or bunny to. They specialize

in these small animals and are usually privately owned and based in the community around the

clinic. Though not all clinical veterinarians focus on house pets. Many focus on the other animals

that help society function. One of these would be food animal veterinarians, who work with

livestock and/or poultry. They work to maintain the health of animals for farms of all sizes, as

well as large food corporations. In that same vein, large animal veterinarians focus on working

with… you guessed it: large animals. These veterinarians work on horses, cattle, and other large

animals. They are usually employed by private clinics, most of which are mobile, with the doctor

visiting the patient rather than vice versa. They can also be employed by larger companies that

specialize in those large animals. Clinical veterinarians are required to be dedicated, hard-

working, and most importantly, personable and friendly, especially given the amount of time

clinical veterinarians spend working with and speaking to clients.

In terms of salary, unfortunately veterinarians cannot expect the same amount of

compensation as medical doctors. Historically veterinary professionals have been underpaid in

comparison to their human medicine counterparts, at least in the United States. There are plenty
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of reasons for this, but it mostly centers on the fact that clients are less likely to pay as much for

animal care than human medical care. That coupled with the somewhat predatory practices of

human medical insurance companies and “nickel and dime” charges forced upon the client at

most medical facilities, the relatively modest prices of veterinary care results in a lower salary

for those providing the care. Based on data from the American Veterinary Medical Association,

most veterinarians pursuing work in small animal clinic can expect an average starting salary of

$87,000 a year. Similarly, an average starting salary for a large animal veterinarian or a food

animal veterinarian would most likely be $75,000 a year ("How much money does a veterinarian

typically make?," 2019). Equine vets, in fact, have the lowest starting salary, averaging around

$50,000 a year. As you build your skills and reputation as a veterinarian though, your salary will

almost certainly increase to match that. According to that same AVMA data, a seasoned, mid-

level veterinarian working in small animal or companion animal medicine will see an average

salary of $100,000 - $110,000. Food animal veterinarians can expect a similar salary of around

$100,000, with Equine vets averaging at around $90,000 per year. Furthermore, once a

veterinarian has reached the peak of their skill level, achieving board certification in a specialty

area, they can expect an average salary of upwards of $150,000 ("How much money does a

veterinarian typically make?," 2019). Much like the rest of this career field, salary varies based

on which field you pursue, what location you are practicing in, and who your employer is.

In terms of various rates involved with this career path, the Bureau of Labor Statistics

reports that the job outlook for careers in veterinary medicine is projected to grow 16% in the

next 10 years, significantly faster than the national average for career growth ("Veterinarians :

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics," 2020). According to the AVMA, unemployment among

veterinarians was 0.7% in 2020. This is actually a decrease from 2019’s report of .08%, in spite
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of the massive unemployment seen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (Nolen, 2020). This is

a testament to the necessity of the profession, as well as the job security within the field.

A Day in the Life

Taking a deep dive into any career is incredibly beneficial when it comes to analyzing

any career, and this is not any different with veterinary medicine. Job descriptions can give you a

decent idea, but you really don’t get an in-depth view of a professional’s day to day operations.

Understanding these aspects can be crucial in determining a future career path. Veterinarians

who work in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or private practice, have to deal with the

complexities of the setting, while also performing their required duties. A typical self-sufficient

hospital consists of a treatment room, multiple exam rooms for patients, a lobby for receptionists

and client relations, a pharmacy area, a surgery room, cages for rehabilitating animals after

procedures, and a radiology room. There will also usually be an office for the veterinarians to

work on paperwork or data entry. Different clinics and hospitals may have variations of this

combination, with additions such as a room for dental surgeries, or extra treatment space, but that

list is a good marker of an average hospital. Vets are typically not required to travel for work,

though travel for continuing education in the form of events or conferences is encouraged and

expenses are often paid for by the hospital. In the hospital, veterinarians are required to work

alongside veterinary technicians, the nurses of vet med. Vet techs handle initial client

consultation as well as basic treatments such as performing vaccines, IV fluid placement,

drawing blood, and taking vitals. They also assist in surgery and radiology. Veterinarians must

be able to work well in a team environment in order to collaborate with the veterinary

technicians, receptionists, kennel workers, and management.

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Veterinarians are usually required to work full time, if not more. In America, this entails

40 hours per week. During my interview with Dr. Margaret Hiers of Brookstone Animal

Hospital, she explained that she would estimate her hours to be roughly 50-60 per week. This

may include staying after-hours to finish paperwork or make calls. During the work day

however, veterinarians are required to perform a multitude of tasks, and those tasks vary based

on the schedule for any given day. A large chunk of time is spent seeing patients in the exam

rooms. Veterinarians talk with clients about any number of things regarding their pet, depending

on the severity of the visit. In very broad terms, they communicate with the client about potential

medications, surgery, or preventative care options their pet might need based on the health and

condition of the pet. That can range from a discussion about puppy vaccines to a quality-of-life

assessment on an aging or sick pet. Discussions with clients do not stop once you leave the exam

room though, vets are also required to do post-op discussions or check ins with clients after

surgeries or procedures. These discussions usually happen in person, but often take place over

the phone when checking in with a client about medicine usage, answering questions regarding

their care, or a litany of other potential discussion topics. The bulk of their hours, as Dr. Hiers

explained, consist of client relations. She claims that “probably 75% [of her day] would come

down to talking with clients, some in some way or form” (Hiers, 2021). Client relation skills and

personability are essential to succeeding as a veterinarian.

Veterinarians also perform surgeries and anesthesia, dental work, and other procedures

on patients during their day to day. These can range from simple spays or neuters, to euthanasias,

to complex surgeries. As mentioned previously, a large chunk of their time involves working

with vet techs and discussing patient care, giving instruction, or working together during

procedures.
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Pros and Cons

Veterinary medicine, as with any form of healthcare or medical related work, comes along with a

built-in sense of purpose and self-worth. Veterinarians are able to help keep animals healthy and

are greatly beneficial to the community they serve. This alone is obviously a pro within the field.

It is always a benefit when your career has an innately positive impact on the people you serve.

Watching an animal that you helped to save and rehabilitate get better and healthier is reportedly

incredibly rewarding, and one could easily see why. Veterinarians also find happiness within the

career irrespective of the altruistic nature of the field. Vets are often science-minded, driven

people who are fascinated with various aspects of the medical field. In my interview with Dr.

Hiers, for instance, she mentioned that a big part of her job satisfaction lied in the pathology

aspects of the profession. She loves the various intricacies of disease. Each case is a puzzle to

her, and solving it brings her great satisfaction (Hiers, 2021).

Though veterinary medicine has the ability to be very rewarding, it is also an incredibly

taxing career path with some fairly glaring issues. For one, burnout is a massive issue within the

career. Vets are often required to take on massive amounts of hours under stressful and, at times,

emotional conditions. That can be incredibly draining for a person. These things can of course be

helped with a positive and healthy working environment, though unfortunately not every hospital

is perfect in that regard. On top of a rigorous working environment, veterinarians are debatably

very underpaid when compared to their medical counterparts. This can be an issue for some, but

most veterinarians have a pretty good understanding of what they are getting into when it comes

to salary. One of the main issues with such a relatively low salary is the considerable amount of

debt a fledgling veterinarian picks up during their education. The average student loan debt for

an incoming veterinarian can average out at roughly $150,000 after veterinary school, with some
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veterinarians topping out at around $200,000 ("Student financial resources," n.d.). This translates

to some hefty monthly student loan payments, which can put a substantial financial strain on a

veterinarian. The demanding lifestyle paired with high debt and mediocre salary has led to

considerable rates of depression and even suicide within the field. Experts and many

veterinarians recommend maintaining a healthy work-life balance, limiting working hours to a

reasonable extent, and using proper financial planning and budgeting as ways to deal with these

negative aspects of the career.

Chapter 2: From Here to There

Profession Profile
Veterinary medicine as a profession asks much of those who choose to pursue it. One

important aspect of the career involves communication and personability. A person looking to

pursue veterinary medicine as a long-term career must be able to handle communicating with

clients, coworkers, and to a lesser extent, the pets themselves. Clinical veterinarians spend a huge

chunk of their time speaking with clients about the various ailments their pet may be enduring.

Often this means communicating complex topics to a client who may be uneducated in the field

or is simply unreceptive, which may be frustrating. As mentioned previously, vets also need to

exhibit management abilities. They should maintain a solid line of communication and

camaraderie within the staff of the hospital or clinic. To keep the facility running smoothly, a vet

must be able to treat their technicians, receptionists, and other employees with respect and

calmness.

A passion for science is definitely another key aspect of a veterinarian’s personality. The

analytical mindset that comes with a love of science is integral when it comes to diagnosing and

treating patients. A vet should be able to observe a case and be able to make rational conclusions
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based on the symptoms of a patient. This requires the knowledgeability, preparedness, and

critical thinking skills of the veterinarian to be finely tuned. Additionally, a strong work ethic is

favored within this profession. Vets are often required to perform under stressful conditions and

endure long work hours. This can take a toll on some veterinarians who lack a strong work ethic.

Another personality trait that is essential in the field is compassion. A person who wishes

to pursue this career must be able to empathize with pet owners in potentially very stressful

situations. Subsequently, a vet must be compassionate towards the animals they are treating, for

obvious reasons.

Education
An important aspect of choosing a career is understanding the educational requirements

that go along with pursuing it. Thankfully, veterinary medicine has a relatively straightforward,

albeit very difficult educational process, the end goal of which being a DVM (Doctor of

Veterinary Medicine) degree though an accredited veterinary school. Veterinary school is one of

the most difficult pre-professional institutions to gain acceptance to. This is mostly due to the

incredibly small number of veterinary schools in the United States. While there are 154 medical

schools in the U.S., and 204 law schools, there are only 30 accredited veterinary schools in the

entire country. This results in an incredibly competitive application pool. Many vets don’t

receive acceptance until their second or third attempt.

There are numerous requirements one must meet if they wish to be accepted into

veterinary school after their undergrad. For one, you are required to maintain a high GPA during

college in general courses and science courses. You must also complete the required pre-

requisite courses required for the vet school you wish to apply to. A certain amount of

experience hours is also required, the amount of which depends on the vet school you wish to
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apply to. This can take the form of clinical rotations, internships, or veterinary research. You are

also required to have scored high on the GRE, which is essentially the SAT on steroids. Many

vet schools are considering removing the test as a requirement however, given that it is relatively

antiquated and not a fantastic judge of skill. Though it is possible it might not be a factor in the

future, it is still wise to consider the test when planning for your future.

Typically, a prospective veterinary student will attend a university of their choice and

major in a field that revolves around animals or medicine. The usual options include biology,

agricultural sciences, animal sciences, or something similar. This is not always the case though.

Admission to veterinary school is not dependent on your major as an undergraduate student.

Many vets majored in fields completely separate from medicine and were still able to apply and

get accepted into veterinary school. It should be noted, however, that you still must complete the

required per-requisite courses in order to be accepted into veterinary school, so even if you major

in, say, history, you will still be required to take multiple courses outside of that major to fulfill

the requirements. Most STEM majors already fulfill those courses, hence why many prospective

vets choose to major in a “veterinary adjacent” field.

Another option when considering veterinary medicine would be a university “early entry”

program. These programs allow high school seniors to gain acceptance into veterinary school

before even graduating high school. Though there are only 30 accredited veterinary schools in

the United States, many offer programs that allow early entry into their college of veterinary

medicine. Universities like Kansas State, Cornell, Mississippi State, Purdue, Oklahoma State,

and many others offer this opportunity. Typically, admission to these programs is fiercely

competitive, usually admitting only 15-30 applicants in a class. It’s no free ride, however. These

students are still required to maintain high GPA’s, as well as complete experience hours and pre-
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requisite courses, though they are not required to take the GRE. These programs allow driven

undergraduate students the peace of mind that they will be accepted into veterinary school upon

graduation, reliving them of the stress of the highly competitive veterinary school application

process.

Once accepted into veterinary school, one can expect a rigorous education involving both

academic courses and clinical experience. Mississippi State, for instance, employs a 2x2

schedule, meaning that the first two years include academic classes, while the second two years

include clinical rotations and hands on experience ("DVM curriculum," n.d.). The exact

educational schedule will of course differ between institutions. Once you graduate from

veterinary school in four years, you will be certified to practice veterinary medicine as you

please. No residencies are required, meaning one could enter clinical medicine immediately after

graduation if they choose to do so. Additionally, some veterinarians opt to attempt board

certification, either in general medicine or a specialty field. This is done by completing a one-

year internship as well as two to three years in a certified residency program ("ABVS FAQs,"

n.d.). Regardless of board certification however, veterinarians are required to complete

continuing education credits throughout their careers. The number of credits that are required

depend on the state in which you are practicing in. Georgia, for example, requires 30 AAVSB,

RACE, or AAHA approved continuing education hours every two years, while Texas requires 17

hours every one year.

Budgeting
As I mentioned in chapter 1, veterinarians are arguably underpaid for their labor. The AVMA

reported average salary for a mid-level clinical veterinarian of $100,000 - $110,000 ("How much

money does a veterinarian typically make?," 2019). When compared to the mean annual wage of
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a Family/General Practitioner, $211,780, there is a notable difference ("Family and general

practitioners," 2018). Both careers involve a similar amount of schooling and training, though

one is paid almost double the other. As a prospective veterinary student, I’m well aware of this,

and am fully prepared for the lower salary. Though comparisons like that one could be beneficial

for those still debating which field they wish to go into.

One of the reasons vets can become unhappy with their salary is the massive student debt

they may have accrued. The cost of an undergraduate degree and DVM can vary greatly

depending on your residency and any scholarships you may receive, though it’s very frequently

not cheap, to put it lightly. Student loan debt has proven to be a massive issue within the

profession over the years. The extensive cost of 8 years of schooling, as well as potentially self-

sufficiency during unpaid internships, adds up to a hefty amount of student loan debt, at least for

the average veterinarian. According to the SAVMA, or the Student American Veterinary

Medical Association, in 2016, the average educational debt for vet school graduates was over

$143,000, with around 20% of graduates taking on at least $200,000 in student loan debt

("Student financial resources," n.d.). Veterinarians often struggle with balancing their debt and

workload given their relatively low salary, thus making the financial risk vs reward ratio of

veterinary medicine… not high to say the least.

A large part of budgeting as a veterinarian will revolve around paying off your student

debt, unfortunately. This does not mean you have to live frugally though. As a mid-level

veterinarian, you will still be able to afford most luxuries associated with the American middle

class. A six-figure salary is not anything to scoff at, even if you’re paying a hefty amount each

month to pay for your schooling.

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Chapter 3: Personal Assessment

My Skills
Prospective veterinarians must be able to self-assess themselves on the skills and inherent

abilities they possess if they are to be successful in the field. The job is a tough one, and calls for

highly skilled and dedicated individuals. I believe that I am up to the challenge in that regard.

The soft skills required of a veterinarian are mainly centered around work ethic,

personability, and critical thinking skills (Zeltzman, 2019). These are qualities I possess in

droves. I am an incredibly driven person, and no stranger to hard work. I understand the time and

effort required to pursue a career in this field, and I feel as if I’m fully prepared for it. Along the

same lines of work ethic, time management skills are also very important. I know that my time

management skills require some work. While I’m always able to get my work done, I am not

incredibly great at scheduling out my days with absolute efficiency. This is a strength I plan to

work on during my undergraduate years in preparation for veterinary school and my future

career. With regards to personability, I believe I am more than capable of being friendly,

personable, and concise when speaking with clients and staff. While interpersonal skills are not

necessarily my strong suit, I realize their importance. I am confident that I will be able to hone

and develop the skills and techniques necessary for any medical professional to be successful.

Other soft skills that are absolutely integral would be critical thinking skills. In that category

comes decisiveness, objectivity, and the ability to work under pressure. Experiencing stressful

and challenging situations is an important part of growing and maturing as a person, and as a

medical professional, and understanding how to navigate those situations is an instrumental part

of succeeding.
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Hard skills are certainly important as well, though most of those skills required are ones

that I haven’t had the opportunity to learn yet. These include mostly tangible experiences and

procedural knowledge obtained through the years of veterinary training and schooling. However,

I have had the opportunity to learn critical animal handling skills. I have worked with hundreds

of animals during my time working at Brookstone Animal Hospital, which has granted me

notable animal handling skills. Along with your typical happy golden retriever, I’ve had to work

with numerous aggressive and problematic dogs. Thankfully though, I’ve always been able to

handle them safely and gently with patience and various handling techniques I’ve learned and

practiced.

My Personality
In most facets I consider my personality to be one that will suit me well as a veterinarian. The

field favors those who are innately kind and patient, while also being tough, strong willed, and

resilient (Dobbs, 2018). These are personality characteristics that I believe are absolutely present

within myself. I have had to deal with multiple situations over the course of my life that have

required me to hunker down and weather the storm, though I never shut myself out from others.

While I definitely consider myself to be resilient and capable, I’m always open to asking for

help. I’ve gone through situations where I’ve needed to ask others for help in the form of

tutoring, personal issues, etc., and in a career where mental health issues and suicide rates are on

the rise, that can be absolutely critical. In a clinical setting, It’s important to be able to empathize

with clients and coworkers, and I believe I’m equipped to handle those situations as well. I

always try to be kind and patient with those around me, and I consider it an aspect of my

personality that I’m quite proud of.

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Additionally, veterinary medicine requires you to be fluid and adaptable given any

situation. My independence and ability to succeed in the face of unusual or challenging

circumstances is easily one of my strongest character traits. I believe that my involvement with

the STEM program in high school has been a major factor in that. The coursework didn’t hold

your hand, it gave you a push and you had to figure it out from there. This ultimately led me to

become a much more independent and capable student, and just as it has benefited me in high

school, it will certainly help me as I move forward into college and veterinary school.

Furthermore, objectivity is a major factor in a veterinarian’s personality. I understand the

importance of a doctor not only being understanding, but also objective and professional.

Through my experiences working at a hospital, I’m more aware of how I may react in a stressful

situation that requires me to set aside my emotions temporarily and conduct myself clinically.

My Motivation
After years of researching veterinary medicine as a potential career path, I’ve found

myself more eager to begin pursuing it than ever. However, my research into the career field is

far from complete. As I go through my educational path, I will continue to constantly observe

and research the profession as a whole. During my bachelor’s, I may even choose to join a

professional veterinary association, like the AVMA or AAHA, allowing me access to newsletters

and updates in the veterinary field.

The steps I need to take in order to be successful in this career are fairly straightforward.

I’m currently in the process of deciding on which school I’d like to attend for my undergrad,

though out of all of them, two paths are available. One option would be to pursue vet med via the

Early Entry program at Mississippi State University, a program that I was accepted into early this

year. This would put me at an advantage and grant me automatic access into the College of
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Veterinary Medicine at MSU after my undergraduate degree is complete. My other option would

be to pursue a more traditional route through any of the numerous colleges I’m deciding between

at the moment. These schools would provide me an undergraduate degree, but I would still need

to apply and be accepted into veterinary school via the regular route. This involves rigorous

testing, as well as stressful applications and interviews. Regardless of my choice, during my

undergrad I will need to complete experience hours. This will likely take the form of hands-on

research, internships, and working positions as a veterinary technician. I have yet to decide on a

route, but I am considering all of my options thoroughly.

Regarding potential road blocks or obstacles in my path to becoming a veterinarian, I

anticipate a few. These will mostly appear as academic issues, given the rigorous coursework I

plan to dump on myself. I truly believe, however, that I will be able to overcome those obstacles

through a combination of healthy study skills and tutoring. I also expect financial issues. Nothing

too serious, I don’t expect to go hungry or anything, but I do anticipate student loan debt among

other things being an issue for me in the future. Budgeting during these times will prove to be a

valuable asset. I can improve on these aspects with tools I’ve learned in high school, such as

effective time management skills, proper budgeting techniques, and the SWOT analysis.

Chapter 4: Productivity

My Project
This semester, we were required to create a sort of physical product relating to our chosen

career. For my physical product, I decided to create an instructional video about the basics of

canine handling and restraint in a veterinary clinic (Martin, 2021). In the video, I go over how to

remove a dog from a cage or suite, how to approach and handle a dog that’s gotten loose, and
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how to restrain a dog in a clinical setting. The video was filmed by myself and my brother at

Brookstone Animal Hospital, with the permission of its owner, who is my boss.

In the first part of the video, I demonstrate the best way to safely remove a dog from a

boarding suite. I demonstrate this using two different types of equipment, the slip leash and the

rabies pole. I then use the same equipment to demonstrate removing a dog from a smaller cage.

In the next section, I highlight the important things to consider when approaching a stray dog, or

simply a dog that has gotten loose outside. I go over how to handle a situation involving a timid

or scared dog, a playful dog, and a possibly aggressive dog. For both of these sections I used my

dog, Hurley, as the demonstrator. In the next section, I go over various restraint techniques that

may be used by a kennel technician or veterinary technician when holding a dog during an exam

or an appointment. For these demonstrations, I used a stuffed dog. Fun fact, the stuffed dog in

the video is used by hospital staff when practicing and demonstrating canine CPR. To begin, I

talk about the uses and benefits of using a muzzle during exams with difficult dogs, and I

demonstrate how to put one on a dog. Afterward, I demonstrate standing restraint, sitting

restraint, lateral recumbency, sternal recumbency, and sitting restraint (modified). The video

finishes off with instruction and a demonstration on how to lift a dog, then concludes with

closing remarks.

Overall, I’m very pleased with how the instructional video turned out. After I had written

a solid script and finalized the shot order, filming was a breeze. Editing proved to be a bit of a

challenge though. Since my home computer wasn’t powerful enough to run my ideal editing

software, I had to resort to a lower caliber program, and had to work with more limited tools in

regard to transitions and infographics. After the video had been completed, I had some

coworkers at the animal hospital review it and provide feedback. The response was incredibly
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positive. Some time after I submitted those reviews as a part of the project, I showed my video to

my boss, the owner of Brookstone Animal Hospital, and she was incredibly positive about it as

well.

Career Connection
Given the surprising lack of instructional content on YouTube and other sites, accessible

and high-quality clinical restraint tutorials are in demand. Most knowledge in this field comes

from experience in the hospital, or from instructional sites that sit behind a paywall. I felt as

though making a video about this subject would help to shorten that accessibility gap at least a

little bit.

Though the techniques and strategies used are mainly presented for veterinary technicians

and kennel techs, the skills are equally as important for veterinarians. Veterinarians may be

slightly removed from the “grunt work” of vet and kennel techs but are nonetheless required to

know how to handle animals safely. Regardless of your position at an animal hospital, you’re

very likely to use one, if not all of these techniques.

The process of creating this instructional video was very eye opening to me. Given my

experience, I understand most of these concepts and techniques relatively well and have

performed and used them many times. The real challenge and learning stretch for me was the

explanation process. Throughout the process of formulating a script, I’ve needed to look at this

field from the eye of someone who’s never experienced any of this and are going in blind. That

lens has helped me to create, choreograph, and script out a coherent video. The communication

aspect of this product is especially appropriate given the nature of Veterinary Medicine as a

career. Vets are very often required to communicate complex topics to uninformed and

potentially misinformed clients in a way that they can understand. The process of combining my
Running head: AN OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE 20

previous knowledge with researched information and presenting it in a way that inexperienced

animal handlers can digest and follow easily has been a remarkably beneficial process in

improving my skills as a communicator of veterinary information.

Running head: AN OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE 21

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Running head: AN OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE 22

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certified-veterinary-specialists-do
Running head: AN OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE 23

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