Q&A: How To Start Getting Veterinary Experience

My question has to do with the veterinary experience part, especially since some schools require a recommendation letter from a vet. I’m having trouble finding somewhere to work or volunteer where I would be able to be with a veterinarian. Do you have any suggestions on searching? And a question for you: How were you Read More …

Q&A: How To Start Getting Veterinary Experience

My question has to do with the veterinary experience part, especially since some schools require a recommendation letter from a vet. I’m having trouble finding somewhere to work or volunteer where I would be able to be with a veterinarian. Do you have any suggestions on searching? And a question for you: How were you Read More …

The Story Behind “A Letter To My Dogs”

For those of you who don’t know, I have never owned a dog. Though I am convinced that one of my cats is a dog, I am afraid that is the sad truth. Yet despite never having owned a dog, I do not feel like I have lacked that companionship and love. I feel as Read More …

A Letter To My Dogs

To ALL of my dogs, We may not have met under the best of circumstances. Some of you were lost, some of you had no home, and an increasing number of you had your home run away from you. I know little of your history but I know I love each and every one of Read More …

Q&A: When To Apply, How VMCAS Works, Shelter Medicine and Sponsorship

I graduated in 2008 with a degree in sociology and last month I finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming a vet. I’ll be going back to get my prereqs in August. I’m still doing a lot of research on schools and acceptance stats and I was hoping I could ask you a few Read More …

What Is The Best Pet For A Vet Student?

Regardless of how many times I’ve been asked to write about it, I’ve been reluctant to specify a particular pet that would be best for a vet student. Why is that? First of all, we don’t all have the same preferences (furry vs. scaly, high maintenance vs. low maintenance) or even allergies. As someone who Read More …

Pets & Break-Ups

Break ups are never fun, and almost never easy. However, add a beloved pet to the situation and it can get even more difficult. It’s amazing (and yet not really surprising) how many couples decide to welcome a pet into their relationship before they are married. And don’t get me wrong, I think pets may Read More …

A Proud Moment for the San Francisco SPCA

The San Francisco SPCA has decided to provide free spay and neuter surgery for Pit Bull and Pit Bull mixes indefinitely! Here’s the article. This is excellent news in my opinion. Given that San Francisco is one of those cities that makes sterilization mandatory for these breeds and mixes, the SF/SPCA is doing a service Read More …

Getting Your Research Published

Anyone in the field of veterinary medicine should be familiar with PubMed, a free, searchable database of published research. We, as students and researchers, access these databases frequently when doing background research for an upcoming proposal, research project, or school assignment among other things. While I am accustomed to searching through the literature and citing Read More …

Training Your Cat

Anyone out there who has a cat is probably reading the title of this and laughing. Go ahead, laugh, but fact of the matter is, cats are highly intelligent creatures and very trainable! I acquired my first cat in 2008. Kali was adopted from the Pasadena Humane Society in Southern California when she was about Read More …