Madison Casey – Veterinary Internship

I intern at the New Holland Veterinary Hospital. Due to the nature of the internship, I mostly shadow. Occasionally I will be able to assist in a small way, folding towels, distracting the dog, or holding the clamp. Furthermore, I am privileged to watch so many surgeries and appointments, learning how everything works. I have seen techs at work, doctors performing procedures, and receptionists dealing with paperwork. So much goes into running a business such as this, and I am fortunate enough to have seen it all.

Businesses of a healthcare nature prove very difficult. Times where nothing more can be done, or when the patient is beyond all hope, indeed occur. These times can become very sad. Fortunately, there are also happy times, like births and incredible successes and recoveries. We need to bad times to remind us of how good the good times are. The veterinary field has a purpose, a real and a good one. I have seen puppies born and cats come back from the brink of death, surprising even the doctors. Animals make people better, they help them through tough times without wavering, they melt crude facades giving way to wonderful personalities, animals show our true colors. They deserve our help, and the New Holland Veterinary Hospital is there to give it.

As an intern, I am allowed to shadow anyone, anywhere. I have seen so many things, from surgeries, such as C-sections, tumor removals, and neuters/spays, to procedures, such as dentals, vaccinations, and blood drawls, to chores, such as paperwork, clean up, and even laundry. Each action, big or small, taught me a valuable lesson that I can take with me. Not every surgery is an exciting trauma case filled with adrenaline, and likewise, nothing is predictable. Moreover, every job has boring parts, such as waiting for results, repetitive suturing, or filling out paperwork. It is important for me to understand that I am capable of all parts of the job, from difficult clients to euthanasia to complicated diagnosis and surgeries.

My most memorable experience in the office was my first C-section. A corgi came in the first thing that morning. We could tell there would be a lot of puppies, just by looking at her. It quickly became an all hands on deck situation. Once the procedure started, the rest happened very quickly. As each puppy was extracted from the mom and given to a tech, she then broke open the amniotic sack and began to suck the mucus out of the puppy’s airway. Next, they needed to rub the puppy, stimulating blood flow, just as the mom would have done. I was given a puppy to rub. The first step was to make sure it was getting enough oxygen: it would turn pink. Then we needed it to start moving, and finally, the puppy needed to squeal for it to be deemed fully functioning and placed into the basket with the others. I began to vigorously, but not roughly, rub my puppy’s back. It was already pink, and moving just a small bit, but it refused to make a noise. One by one the other puppies started to yelp and were placed into the basket. Mine still wouldn’t cry. I began to worry, was I doing it wrong? My puppy was one of the first five, out of eleven, and now there were only two left. I didn’t give up, I kept rubbing, trying to transfer energy into the puppy. I just needed it to squeal. Suddenly, a quiet noise came from the tiny living creature in my hands. And the wave of relief, joy, and pride that washed over me was almost too much. I couldn’t believe it, I had kept it alive. I did it. That smiled stayed on my face all day, as did the reassurance that this was definitely what I wanted to do with my life.

This internship experience has been the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. Every day I can’t wait to recount and share my stories with my friends and family. I learned what a normal day is like, and what a crazy day is like. Just being exposed to the environment has helped me be surer of what I want to do. I have seen the cute, fluffy little puppies and kitties, to the sad, old or sick animals, to the bloody, surgeries and operations, and all of it has made me excited to start my journey to becoming a veterinarian. This experience has taught me the ins and outs of veterinary life, showed me the ups and the downs, but most of all, helped me find where I belong. Thanks to all who helped me get here.