Name: Maile Moyer

This summer I worked as an intern for Woodland Run Equine Center in Grove City, Ohio. This project expanded upon my Animal Science Biosciences degree and allowed me to gain experience with animals as a future food animal veterinarian. I was able to network with other veterinarians and gain professional experience while also observing medical care for horses. In this internship I assisted veterinarians during appointments and surgeries when possible, caring for horses, and restraining animals during treatment.

Through this internship I learned that the job of a veterinarian is not all puppies and kittens, the job of a veterinarian is filled with stress and traumatic events. This project changed my view on the veterinary field as a whole because I was able to witness the behind the scenes events at a veterinary clinic. Even though I witnessed the bad along with the good through this experience, I discovered about myself that I am able to cope with stresses that come with the job of a veterinarian.

A veterinarian must often deal with clients that are not so easy to get along with. Many times the clients are also emotionally stressed due to their animals being ill. Veterinarians must be able to care for animals but they also have to help the owners of animals cope with the situation. After observing several veterinarians communicating with clients I realized the amount of communication skills this field requires and believe I would also be able to do this.

During this project there were several emergencies at the clinic where a horse had become loose and the veterinarian and vet techs had to chase and catch the horses. This is just one situation where I witnessed the ability to adapt to situations that a veterinarian must have.

My last week during this project I witnessed the euthanasia of a 13 year old horse that was unable to get along with other horses or able to have a job. This event also opened my eyes to how veterinarians must be able to deal with depressing events throughout their work day and then continue creating a welcoming environment for other clients. All of these events showed me that the job of a veterinarian is at times very emotionally and physically draining.

These realizations gathered from my project is important because now I am better educated about the field I plan to enter in to. I know the amount of mental stability this job requires and believe that I am capable of being successful at it. This experience allowed me to be better prepared for the future career I am going to obtain.