Volunteering versus Work

[tilac]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering whether volunteer experience with large and small animal vets alone would be insufficient to get into OVC. After discussing this topic with a few different vets and student vets, I am wondering whether it is essentially necessary to work rather than volunteer with vets in order to get accepted. I've volunteered a sizeable number of hours at a local small animal clinic, but nearly all clinics in my area only hire people who have diplomas. I know I could additionally get volunteer hours at a large animal clinic too but jobs are scarce. Will I have to keep searching or will volunteering eventually suffice?

Any advice is appreciated. This notion has been a key factor in my attempt to decide which medical career route I would like to take.

Thanks,
TL

[The Hound]

Volunteering is just fine! You will break your experience up into "Veterinary Experience" and "Animal Experience" on the Background Information Form, with additional sections for "Employment" and "Extracurriculars." Veterinary Experience must be performed with a supervising veterinarian but that is the only requirement. It can be in any field and in any capacity (ie. volunteering, lab work, not just clinical medicine). They are interested in seeing that you have gone out and explored the profession to make sure it's right for you, and also to see that your veterinarian references (you need two vets, but the same clinic is fine) know you well enough to give you a sound reference.

Whether the position is paid or not is essentially irrelevant. If you were employed by a veterinarian you would put it under Veterinary Experience (same for if you were working with animals), not under Employment on the BIF anyway. Get a wide variety of experience if you can (note that experience is not part of the admissions calculation but you do need to show that you've explored the industry to be considered) but there are lots of vet students who have zero large animal experience that get in just fine. It will help YOU to get a variety of experiences so I would recommend going for the volunteer position at the large animal clinic.

That said, your last statement is a little bit concerning. OVC wants the most dedicated, die-hard veterinary students they can get their hands on. The undergraduate requirements are tough (90+ average for admitted applicants) and the profession is extremely demanding. I would not recommend going into veterinary medicine unless you have a burning passion for it above all else. If you are just looking for a professional degree, I would HIGHLY recommend going back to the drawing board and exploring your interests further. Veterinarians have one of the highest professional suicide rates of any profession in the world. You really should love it (especially at the beginning) in order to be successful.

[The Hound]

I should clarify, experience with a vet goes under "Veterinary Experience" and experience with animals, not with a vet, goes under "Animal Experience." "Employment" is commonly used for non-vet/animal day jobs.

[tilac]

I've had a passion for veterinary medicine for a long time. A spend a large portion of my time reading veterinary manuals and watching veterinary videos. Throughout my volunteering, I have found great purpose in helping beings that cannot explicitly thank one for the assistance. I do also understand that the life of a vet can be rough, but I believe that the passion I feel for this career can overshadow the vast majority of such concerns. The reason I worded the initial question as such was due to the fact that I had to take a hiatus from veterinary volunteering for a period of time due to a combination of illness, work, and school and it had me thinking for a bit.

However, regardless of the previous statement, I was also wondering if anyone knew how hard is it to find experience opportunities around U of Guelph? Where is a good place to go in order to track down opportunities? If I were to volunteer at OVC rather than an external facility would that be frowned upon? If so, are other on-campus activities viewed with higher regard than those off of it? Additionally, is it specifically important to do a good portion of these hours while in school or would it still be permissible if a large portion of them were acquired during the summer? Thanks for your assistance thus far and I apologize for the vastly delayed response.

[lowenger]

Hello tilac

Why would where or when you volunteer make a difference? As long as you are working with a vet and are learning what vets do that is a quality experience.

We don't state anywhere on our website that time of year or location is a consideration. We don't offer much volunteer opportunities at OVC.

[prevet12]

May 17, 2018 23:35:45 GMT -5 tilac said:

I've had a passion for veterinary medicine for a long time. A spend a large portion of my time reading veterinary manuals and watching veterinary videos. Throughout my volunteering, I have found great purpose in helping beings that cannot explicitly thank one for the assistance. I do also understand that the life of a vet can be rough, but I believe that the passion I feel for this career can overshadow the vast majority of such concerns. The reason I worded the initial question as such was due to the fact that I had to take a hiatus from veterinary volunteering for a period of time due to a combination of illness, work, and school and it had me thinking for a bit.

However, regardless of the previous statement, I was also wondering if anyone knew how hard is it to find experience opportunities around U of Guelph? Where is a good place to go in order to track down opportunities? If I were to volunteer at OVC rather than an external facility would that be frowned upon? If so, are other on-campus activities viewed with higher regard than those off of it? Additionally, is it specifically important to do a good portion of these hours while in school or would it still be permissible if a large portion of them were acquired during the summer? Thanks for your assistance thus far and I apologize for the vastly delayed response.

In terms of volunteering around guelph there are plenty of opportunity, especially in the summer when most students go home. Look up hospitals and start emailing. it's alot of work but itll pay off