Before we dive into the wonders of the externship, I’d like to introduce myself and share my journey to vet med. I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since the ripe age of 6, mostly because I thought animals were just so darn cute and friendly. Although my reasoning for choosing this profession has evolved throughout the years, I have always had a passion for animals and a desire to treat them.

I grew up in the GTA and attended a French high school, taking mostly science courses. When it came time to pick a post-secondary program, Biology at the University of Guelph seemed like a no brainer. It enabled me to have liberty in my electives as well as join the Future Vets Club and stay up-to-date with my road to OVC. Everyone’s path to vet med is unique, and mine involved lots of volunteering at small and mixed animal practices as well as some international shelter work.

And now, with the blink of an eye, I find myself heading into Phase 4, the final year in the DVM curriculum. It’s time to kiss the classroom goodbye and prepare for hands on learning, starting with the eight-week externship. I will be doing my externship at the Prescott Animal Hospital where I hope to integrate into this clinic’s great team environment, learn from their valuable mentors and gain clinical skills that will enable me to become a better clinician. They have both a large and small animal hospital, and I will be spending four weeks with each sector. 

I believe the Externship Blog Project provides a great platform for students to create a connection with the world that exists outside of the classroom and it enables us to have a community presence. Throughout my externship, I hope to shed light on the happenings in the life of a vet student, all the while sharing stories that are both heartwarming and educative. This initiative helps its participants develop valuable communication and social media skills that will become valuable tools in our future. I look forward to the eight weeks and invite you to join my colleagues and me on this exciting journey. 

Thanks for reading!