The doctors at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic are often asked questions by young people considering a career in veterinary medicine. Recently, fourteen year old Guillermo Altamirano interviewed Dr. Askren for a school project. We thought that we would depart from our traditional articles and include a transcript of the interview for any of our young clients who may also want to work in the field of veterinary medicine.

Guillermo: First and foremost, I would like to thank you for agreeing to answer a few questions for me. I appreciate your help with this very much.

Dr. A: Thank you, Guillermo, for the privilege of helping with your school project. I hope my answers will prove to be helpful...not only for your assignment but in your own exploration of veterinary medicine as a career choice.

Guillermo: What can I be doing now, while in High School, to help me prepare for a career in Veterinary Medicine?

Dr. A: There are many ways that you can begin to prepare for a career in veterinary medicine. One option would be to volunteer your time at a local humane society or animal shelter. Both the animals and the staff will benefit from the extra help. Also, you will be able to learn a lot about caring for companion animals. Many communities have pet visitation programs for the elderly or disabled. This is another opportunity for volunteer service and can provide insight into the beauty of the human-animal bond. A good place to check would be your local Council on Aging. There is always the option of seeking employment (or a volunteer position) with a veterinary hospital. There are some limitations to what you would be allowed to do because of your age. For example, you must be eighteen or older to assist in taking x-rays. However, some hospitals will employ young people to work in the kennel and to help groom pets. Finally, if you don't already own a pet, consider adopting one. Pet ownership is a joyful and rewarding experience that will serve you well as a future care giver to other pet owners.

Guillermo: Did you know right out of high school that this is the career you wanted to go into?

Dr. A: No. In fact, I never thought I would go into a medical career. Despite a family background in medicine, I had no burning interest in becoming a doctor. In fact, I had never even considered veterinary medicine as a career until after I had graduated from college. I received my undergraduate degree in History - a field I still have a passion for. My interest in veterinary medicine grew out of some very close friendships I developed with veterinary students and animal lovers I met after completing college. It was as if I had discovered a totally new world. I was absolutely fascinated with the idea of working with animals. Why I had not been drawn to this before I can not say. But, after exploring the world of veterinary medicine, through study and working with veterinarians, I knew I had found my calling.

Guillermo: What kind of skills, besides the special training that I will receive in school, do I need to be a vet?

Dr. A: You must be a good student. It is very important to work hard in school. Grades do matter...but even more important is to learn...and cultivate a love of learning. A decision to become a medical professional is a decision to become a "life-long" learner. Your study and learning does not end with high school or college or veterinary school. You will be studying and learning for the rest of your professional career. If you don't enjoy learning, don't pursue a medical career.

Also, it is important to pay attention to detail. My father used to share this with me when I was young. As a doctor, I realize how important it truly is. It is the details that can save or loose a life. Here is an example...A cat was brought to our hospital because his owner thought it had a broken leg. When the pet was examined, there were no broken bones but he could not use the front left leg. The toe pads on that foot were not quite as pink as the other feet and they felt a little bit cool. Those observations are details. You may not think they mean much but actually they do. This cat had a blood clot that was compromising the circulation to the left front leg.

Attention to detail extends well beyond observations when examining a patient. It includes everything from how well you clean your room to checking your spelling on a term paper! It should be a way of life for someone in the medical profession.

One of the most important things a veterinarian needs to be successful is a love for people. I share this with every young person who asks me about becoming a vet. Most usually say they want to be a vet because they love animals so much. That is great...and equally important. But, do you love people? Every single patient you will treat as a veterinarian will have (at least) one person attached to it...and maybe even an entire family! Even zoo veterinarians must work with the animal handlers...some of whom are more mothering than the dearest kitty-cat owner. In my opinion, it is not enough to just love animals. Veterinarians must have a deep and abiding passion for people, too. This obviously is not a skill but, rather, an innate quality. However, it is an important question to ask oneself in considering a career in veterinary medicine.

Guillermo: What kind of special training did you have to go through?

Dr. A: Applicants to veterinary college must complete a core curriculum of college level science courses which usually requires a minimum of three years. Most have received a four or five year undergraduate degree before applying. Veterinary college is a four year program - three years of classes and a year of clinical work. After completing veterinary college, a graduate can become licensed in the general practice of medicine and surgery. Some elect to continue their education and perform an internship and residency to specialize in a particular field such as surgery, radiology, internal medicine, etc.

Guillermo: What would you say is the best and worst part of being a veterinarian?

Dr. A: One of the best parts of being a veterinarian, or any type of doctor, is successfully diagnosing and treating an illness. There are few things more rewarding than helping to restore a patient to good health. For me, another great part of being a veterinarian is relationships - relationships with pets and relationships with their owners. I love getting to know people and their animals. I love working with them to help them live the healthiest life possible. I love being there when that companion is a puppy or kitten and the owner is struggling with training and also being there for them when that pet is old and needs help with arthritis. This brings me to the worst part of being a veterinarian. Sometimes, despite all our advances in medicine, there is a medical problem we can not resolve and the patient is suffering. With animals, we have both the gift and the burden of being able to humanely end that suffering. Although humane euthanasia can be considered a final act of love for a pet, it remains a difficult and emotionally draining act. However, having the ability to end the suffering of a beloved pet and to aid a grieving owner in their loss are very important aspects of our profession.

Guillermo: Have you ever had a situation with one of your patients that has stayed with you or impacted you a lot?

Dr. A: Yes...absolutely. There are really too many to count...both humorous, sad, and joyful. I have watched the joy in a little boy's eyes when he learned his hamster was going to be O.K....sought aid for a suicidal individual who tried to have their own pets put to sleep as well...nursed orphaned wildlife back to health and life at the local zoo...and the list goes on. However, I do not think my experiences are necessarily unique. Life as a veterinarian is full of memorable events. If you have not yet read the works of James Herriot you must do so. I read them after becoming a veterinarian and feel he truly captures the feel of what life as a vet is like. The first book is "All Creatures Great and Small." Run down to the library and check it out!

Guillermo: What do you feel is the most fun part of your job?

Dr. A: One of the things I love about being a veterinarian is that we have the opportunity to practice many aspects of medicine. In a sense, we are surgeons, radiologists, cardiologists, pathologists, theriogenologists, etc. I don't mean to say that I have the same expertise as these specialists. Rather, we do perform many tasks within those specialties in which we are quite proficient. I enjoy surgery. I enjoy radiology quite a bit. It is a fun blend of photography and medicine. As I reflect on your question I realize one more thing that is fun about my job...interacting with the wonderful people I work with! I have a great staff for which I am truly thankful and I enjoy working with them.

Guillermo: Do you work an average of 40 hours a week? Or do you work longer hours, and/or weekends?

Dr. A: I have to chuckle a little at this question. My average work week is sixty to seventy hours and sometimes more. Part of this is simply the nature of medical practice but another part of it is that I own my own business. Those types of hours apply to most business owners...whether it is a family restaurant, a gas station, or a comic book store!

Guillermo: Do you treat both small and large animals? Or do you specialize in a certain size or breed?

Dr. A: I treat companion animals which includes dogs, cats and exotic "pocket pets" like rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, etc.

Guillermo: Do you prefer to treat a certain breed of animal?

Dr. A: I do not really have a breed preference although there are some breeds that are easier to work with than others. For example, a 150 pound Rottweiller can be quite a load to lift up onto an examination table! Last weekend I broke my glasses trying to pick up just such a dog.

Guillermo: What kind of medicine do you use the most in your practice?

Dr. A: In this part of the country parasites, both internal and external, are a very common and serious problem. The medicines that we dispense more than any other are anti-parasitic drugs for the treatment or prevention of such things as intestinal worms, fleas, ticks, heartworms, etc.

Guillermo: Do you feel there are any similarities between veterinary medicine and human medicine?

Dr. A: Absolutely. Veterinary medicine can now offer animals all of the same services that human doctors can offer their patients. There is one major difference, though. Our patients can not tell us where it hurts! This is one way in which veterinary medicine is more challenging in my opinion.

Guillermo: Have you ever questioned yourself, or regretted going into this field?

Dr. A: No. I love what I do and can not imagine a more enjoyable career.