Volunteering Hours / Letters of Recommendation

[sloth]

Hi there!

I have a couple of questions regarding veterinary experience/letters of recommendation:

1) Can both my veterinary letters of reference be from the same clinic?

2) Is there a certain amount of hours that should be achieved prior to applying? I know there isn't a formal cutoff, but I'm concerned I haven't been able to acquire enough hours. For majority of my undergraduate career, my parents have encouraged me to go down other career paths - I only started exploring other options recently. As a result, I have only compiled about 90 hours from a small animal clinic and about 60 hours at a wildlife rehabilitation center. I have been trying to find more places to volunteer at, but it's very difficult as a result of Covid-19. Do I have enough hours to apply this year?

3) Do the letters of recommendation need to be stellar? I'm worried I haven't had a chance to build a great relationship with the veterinarians at the small animal clinic. They definitely know me, as I've been volunteering there for two years, but not on a personal level by any means. And now with Covid-19, the clinic has stopped allowing volunteers to come in, so I haven't been able to build more rapport since March. 

Thank you so much for your answers/contributions in advance!

[sloth]

Also - I'm wondering if a veterinary technician counts as a veterinary reference? I assume not, but thought I'd ask anyways. Thanks!

[lowenger]

1) Can both my veterinary letters of reference be from the same clinic?

Yes and they have to be from DVMs

2) Is there a certain amount of hours that should be achieved prior to applying?

We look at quality over amount

3) Do the letters of recommendation need to be stellar?

Yes

[hey]

Aug 12, 2020 9:38:04 GMT -5 lowenger said:

1) Can both my veterinary letters of reference be from the same clinic?

Yes and they have to be from DVMs

2) Is there a certain amount of hours that should be achieved prior to applying?

We look at quality over amount

3) Do the letters of recommendation need to be stellar?

Yes

I have a question regarding the DVM requirement. If the vet I work with received their degree in another country but was certified by the OVC to practice in Canada, are they considered a valid reference?

[responsetohey]

If they are practicing in Canada, then presumably they met the legal requirements to be a vet in Canada. Therefore, it should not be an issue where they got their degree from.

[yess]

Jul 29, 2021 19:54:26 GMT -5 hey said:

Aug 12, 2020 9:38:04 GMT -5 lowenger said:

1) Can both my veterinary letters of reference be from the same clinic?

Yes and they have to be from DVMs

2) Is there a certain amount of hours that should be achieved prior to applying?

We look at quality over amount

3) Do the letters of recommendation need to be stellar?

Yes

I have a question regarding the DVM requirement. If the vet I work with received their degree in another country but was certified by the OVC to practice in Canada, are they considered a valid reference?

I used vets that had a degree from foreign countries for both of my references and was still offered and interview this year so it's definitely allowed as long as they've completed something equivalent to a DVM

[lowenger]

Just to clarify OVC does not certify veterinarians. I think you meant CVO.