Interview

Questions: (Dr. Thompson-1, Dr. Lawless-2) >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >>>
 * **Is there any one thing in particular that you love about your career?**
 * 1) I enjoy that every day is different and that I don't sit at a desk all day. I enjoy working with animals and their owners. I particularly like surgery.
 * 2) I love the science and the continual learning that is required to keep up with the advances in treatment and diagnostics.
 * ** Is there anything I should be aware of before entering into this profession? **
 * 1) It isn't just about the animals. You need to like people also and be able to communicate well with people.
 * 2) As noted above to be even a marginal practitioner (and who wants to be just that) a committment to continuing your education is necessary during your entire career.
 * **What are some of the pros of being a vet?**
 * 1) Dr. Thompson
 * 2) There are many different jobs that you can do as a veterinarian.
 * 3) It is rewarding to be able to help pets and their owners.
 * 4) Dr. Lawless
 * 1) An enormous list of specialties and job opportunities.
 * 2) Having contact with and being able to help a lot of varied people.
 * **What are some of the cons?**
 * 1) Dr. Thompson
 * 1) The hours can be long and it isn't an 8-5 job. It is important to stay at work until your work is done. Sometimes, I have missed out on family events because of this.
 * 1) You have to be prepared to euthanize animals.
 * 2) Dr. Lawless
 * 1) Lower expected income as compared to other graduate/doctoral degrees.
 * 2) Working hours are not often 9-5 as with other professions.
 * **Have you been bitten by one of the animals?**
 * 1) Yes, a couple of times. The worst bite was my own cat.
 * 2) yes
 * **If so how many, and what kinds of bites?**
 * 1) The only one that was severe was when my cat bit me on the knuckle. The other bites were minor. I get scratched a lot by cats also.
 * 2) 1 dog bite on the arm (in 9yrs as a vet and 15yrs in the field)
 * **Do you ever regret becoming a vet?**
 * 1) No, I enjoy the challenges and the pay is decent.
 * 2) Not at all
 * **I have heard it is incredibly hard to make it into vet school, do you agree?**
 * 1) It is difficult to get into veterinary school, harder than medical school. It is important to get good grades, do community service activities, and have work experience with a veterinarian.
 * 2) It is very challenging, but if your priorities are in the right place and you have good study skills it is completely manageable.
 * **What are the 3 most important things to know about being a vet?**
 * 1) Dr. Thompson
 * 1) You need to be able to communicate well with people.
 * 2) You need to be dedicated and work hard.
 * 3) You need to be honest and always have the best interest of the pet in mind.
 * 1) Dr. Lawless
 * 2) How to deal with stressful situations and failure (the consequences can be great when you fail)
 * 3) keeping compassion toward your patients and their owners is crucial.
 * 4) the enjoyment of learning is a must


 * **How stressful is this job, and what makes it stressful?**
 * 1) It can be very stressful. I find it stressful when I get behind and the clients have to wait. I also find it stressful when I don't have enough time to get everything done. It can be stressful dealing with angry clients. It is stressful when a pet dies.
 * 2) The most stressful part of the job is making sure my patients have enough of my time and attention while seeing enough patients to have a successful business. Too many ill patients at one time can cause mistakes and ultimately treatment failure.
 * **Do you have a favorite animal? What is it?**
 * 1) I like dogs best.
 * 2) yes - horses and I don't work on them
 * **Is it very fulfilling to be able to help animals, or does it get old after time?**
 * 1) It becomes less novel over time, but I still enjoy seeing an animal get better when it is sick and see those new puppies and kittens. I continue to enjoy the challenge of figuring out why an animal is sick.
 * 2) The grind of work can get old if you don't stop and realize the importance of your work. I never get tired of helping animals or their owners care for them.
 * **Have you faced, and conquered any major brick walls in your life?**
 * 1) I got divorced and thus was a single parent during vet school. It was difficult at the time, but I am glad I stuck with vet school and finished. I didn't receive any financial support from my parents throughout undergraduate college and veterinary school. I am proud of the accomplishments that I have achieved without my parent's financial help.
 * **Do you use reading and/or writing much in your profession?**
 * 1) Reading is important to stay current in the profession. I read journals and books. I also use the internet as a resource also. Neat writing and correct spelling is very important. Our patient records are legal medical records. Being able to type well and fairly fast is also important. Some of our records go directly into the computer.
 * 2) Both, all of the time. Reading is crucial to help you keep up on your knowledge (this includes journals, reference materials for ongoing cases, prognosis reports on biopsy results); every appointment and client communication requires complete entries in the patients record. As a general practitioner that is the limitations of writing but any advancement requires submission of cases to journals.