During surgery days, I do procedures such as spaying, neutering, mass removals, dental cleanings and dental extractions. It is always something different and exciting. I never sit down and never get bored, which I love!
EG: I spend my days examining patients, administering preventative vaccinations, managing patients with chronic diseases, and working up/treating animals with abnormal symptoms or signs of disease. I also perform soft tissue surgery bi-weekly.
What is your favorite part of your job? Do you face challenges?
JJ: My favorite parts of my job are the variety, the people I work with who are so passionate about animal health and well-being, and seeing success cases. If I have managed something difficult and it has improved, I love seeing the end result and being the one who figured it out. My biggest challenges come when I can't fix something or when I make a medical error or a bad judgment call... which happens. In many cases, there isn't a rule book on what should be done. Medicine has a lot of gray space on what is recommended. Being a perfectionist makes it hard when I make mistakes, even if I know I was doing the best I could and making the best decision at the time.
EG: Getting to see kittens and puppies and setting them up for success and health in life is very rewarding. It's also satisfying to manage difficult cases where the owner has not had previous success but then finds success and improvement with their family members.
What advice do you have for a student interested in your industry? What skills are most crucial?
