today is the day; NAVLE attempt #2 is finally here. I’m about to leave home and drive like an hour to the testing site and then the exam is 8 hours long, and then an hour drive home where I will be drinking wine and napping afterwards. wish me luck, yall, I need all the luck and good thoughts today to pass this exam!

I wanted to just vent briefly about something a little frustrating.  So while I still need to pass my NAVLE before graduation (which is incredibly stressful in and of itself) I am also trying to start the job search.  In some ways I have it pretty easy. The world is hurting for vets right now. There simply arent enough new grads to go around, so there are plenty of openings and I have a few places lined up to talk to/visit in the hopes of starting that conversation.

But I also feel incredibly ill prepared for this. Like....One, I know that a big part of those conversations is going to be negotiating salary. Which...it’s difficult. You can’t just google “New grad average salary” and get an accurate assessment of what the average is because most of those data websites look at the salary range and assume the “low end” is the newest members of the field. 

But that isn’t how vet med works. There is a significant difference between salary for large animal vets versus small animal vets and it also doesn’t take into account those who go on to internships which get a salary that is much below normal. So a lot of these sites say that new grad vets are making 40k a year when that’s really more like an interns salary. Not to mention, new grads going into emergency medicine can make much much more than even experienced vets in a regular practice. (not that I want to go into emergency, but it still skews the data used by most salary reporting sites.) 

I found one tool geared specifically towards estimating a starting salary for new grads based on their desired geographical region and what kind of practice they want to be in, but I also have no way to compare that to anything and I’m terrified of giving a number that’s going to get me laughed out of the room or alternatively lowballing myself and hurting myself in the long run. And is that number for flat salary? How does a production model factor into that? 

I also don’t know how other benefits factor into that. I know plenty of places offer retirement packages, health insurance, PTO, CE funds, some offer signing bonuses, relocation assistance, ect. So do I need to factor that in to the number in my head? 

I just wish that somewhere in our curriculum they included a class (or even just a seminar) on how to approach looking for a job. How to contact prospective employers. How to determine what you are worth, how to craft a vet med specific resume (because the last resume I made was for applying to a retail position. Most of my undergrad work experience is not worth putting on there. So in a lot of ways it feels like writing my first ever resume all over again. How do I market myself if I haven’t really done anything yet?) 

I have some ideas of red flags to look for, but it would be nice to have practice owners from nearby come in and tell us what they look for out of applicants, tell us how they expect those conversations to go, maybe even run a mock interview day complete with a fake contract to look at. Just something so that I don’t feel like I’m walking into this blind. 

In the end, I’m sure it will go fine. I’m staying in an area where cost of living is pretty low and my fiance and I aren’t planning on having kids so financially no matter what I think we should be stable, even with my insane student loans. And I have already talked to my parents about helping with that weird interim between living off student loans and getting my first real adult paycheck. But I’m still stressed out and with a few of my externship fast approaching I’m just trying to process it all and do as much research as I can before it comes up so I can try to be prepared. 

anyway end of rant, back to your regularly scheduled shenanigan's  

Also someone should yell at me to eat breakfast because we had a late start day so I’m still at home but I’ve still not gotten up to eat and really should eat something before I leave. 

I just wanna go home and work on my songs....

The Long Way

A nice fun Liam/Spencer fic, because these boys deserve the world.

Summary: (Alternately  titled “SOMEONE GIVE LIAM A HUG” or “Stronk Farm Boyfriends”)Liam’s  just finishing up vet school, and he’s a month shy of achieving the  thing he’s been working for since he was a kid. When he gets called out  to a farm to witness a calf birth and notices something wrong,  under-researched, and curable, it’s the perfect thing to treat and  document so he can write a paper that will jump-start his career. Of  course, the fact that the calf is owned by a cute dairy farmer doesn’t  hurt, either.

Chapter one // Chapter two // Chapter 3 // Chapter 4 // On AO3

Chapter 5

They climb out of the truck, and the sun is out, and Liam feels like a different person than he was when they got in. Somehow, it's like he's let all his questions, fears, and doubts fall away, shutting them up as he shuts the truck's door. Hopefully, they'll disappear into whatever void exists under and between car seats and never be seen again. Spencer and the picnic basket lead the way to a table, and Liam follows with his backpack slung over a shoulder. It's only once Spencer starts unpacking the picnic basket and urging him to eat that Liam realizes how hungry he is.

"Dude, have you eaten anything today?" Spencer asks. There's a hint of joke in his tone, but the foundation is worried.

"I... had breakfast, I think. One of the side effects of withdrawal was nausea, so I... it wasn't exactly motivating to eat, especially when it's just ramen again." That's supposed to be a joke, sort of, a play on the starving student stereotype. But Spencer just looks worried, and Liam scrambles to reassure him. "I'm fine. It's... it's not a big deal or anything; now that I'm back on the meds I should be fine. Just a week of your mom's food spoiled me. Before y'all, I hadn't had a real home-cooked meal in... god, eight years I think? I mean, my friends and I made stuff, but nothing with the same effort and love baked in."

It's not a big deal, but Spencer looks even more concerned. "Oh no. That’s... my mom is going to make you so much food when she finds out; you have no idea.”

“Don’t... you don’t have to tell her." Liam says quickly, trying not to think about how much he already owes Spencer's mom. "I... I’d really rather she didn’t worry; she seems sweet but I don’t need... I’m okay. I’m doing fine, and it’s not for much longer if I pass, and you all got me so much already.”

Spencer's quiet for a moment, then he says, "Why don't you come out to the farm after you're done with the test? We can celebrate with more homemade food. They could be there if you want to meet them, or it could be just us and whoever else you want. Up to you."

"I'd like that. Maybe... I don't know if your parents would like me all that much; I'm not exactly... parents don't tend to like me, and I don't want to butt in or anything, but if you want them there then I don't mind."

"Alright; it'll be us and Annie, and I'll make sure to have something home cooked. Anyone else you want to come? We could do a little celebration."

"You... we don't have to make it a thing; it--"

"If you're going to say it isn't a big deal, after how much we both know it's been stressing you out, I'm going to riot. It matters. This is a big thing, and it deserves to be celebrated. And so do you." Spencer looks so confident, and so sure of himself and the absolute fact of what he's just said that Liam can't find anything to say in response. He just looks down at the food in front of him, but even that is a sign of Spencer's kindness, and he's almost overwhelmed with it all.

"Thank you," he says after a moment. "For... everything, not just wanting to celebrate the NAVLE with me. I'm sorry if I'm weird about it; this is... new. For me. But I do appreciate it. So thank you."

“Of course. And I mean it, you do deserve to be celebrated. You’re a really great guy, and you worked so hard for this. We’ll do a special dinner next week, and if you want Bell or anyone there, we’ll have them.”

“I’d like that, but she... she lives a few hours away with my sister, and I wouldn’t want to have to pick her up after the test or take her back between that night and work the next morning. Thank you, though, for thinking of her. If she was closer, I'd definitely want her there."

"Of course." If Spencer's honest with himself, he's always thinking of Bell. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he's always worried about her and what she'd say. Liam's love for her is as clear as day. He lights up when he talks about her, how she's his girl and he'd do anything to make her happy. He talks about wanting to look after her when she gets old, how they'd grown up together and she'd been there with him through everything. Once, he'd said that she's the only girl he'll ever really love. He is so, so in love with her, and every now and then when he mentions her, Spencer can tell it breaks Liam's heart that they can't be together.

He’s constantly offering to show Spencer pictures of how cute she is, or how gorgeous and regal, but Spencer's always said no. Because if Bell is as stunning and wonderful as Liam says, and if they're really as in love as they seem, then no matter how much of a crush he has, Spencer doesn't stand a chance. At least if he doesn't have to see her, it makes it easier somehow. He can pretend she's not real, or that he and Liam have a shot. If nothing else, he at least doesn't have to see the person Liam's so close to.

"I... I was about to thank you again," Liam says, laughing a bit and pulling Spencer out of his head. "I really don't... it's been a long time since I had someone who'd look out for me like this. I appreciate it a lot."

"Well, you've got me and my parents and our neighbors now; that's at least five people who'd be willing to fight for and love you. And Bell would, too, or at least I hope she would. For how much you love her, I hope she's loving you back."

"Oh, yeah, I mean, she would if she could. She did, back when we were staying together; she helped so much then. I... I swear she's the only reason I'm doing as well as I am today, which isn't saying much, but it... it could be worse, I suppose. It's just harder now, since we're not in the same place."

Spencer nods, and Liam asks about Annie after a moment, so they watch the video of her playing again, then Spencer rambles about things at the farm so Liam can eat. When he's finished, they get his flash cards and study guide, and Spencer listens while he talks about cow poop and horse bacteria and rabbit parasites as the sun sets.

It's more obvious than ever how ready for this test he is. Spencer's known he's smart for a while, but something about the way he answers questions now, the quiet assurance as they flip through flash cards and practice questions, solidifies the fact in Spencer's mind. Liam's going to do well.

"Hey, you're... you're really smart," he says as they come to a break, looking at Liam with a bit of a smile. "I know I've said to before, and I know you don't really believe me, but you're going to crush this test."

"Thanks. I... I hope I'm ready. I just don't want to let anyone down."

"Well, I don't know who else you're talking about, but I'm already really proud of you. And you're working so hard, I bet anyone else would be proud, too."

"Thanks, but it's more... I had to crowdfund this entry fee. That's... that's part of why I'm taking it now instead of in the fall when everyone else did; I had to raise enough. So I just... I don't want to let down the people who helped me out. I couldn't have taken it otherwise, so I... I feel like if I don't do well, it'll be a waste of their money and belief in me."

He's looking down at the notes in front of him, chewing on his bottom lip, but he looks up as Spencer gets up to come around behind him and rub his shoulders. He seems surprised for a second, then leans into it, letting his head fall back onto Spencer's chest as Spencer rubs the tension out of his shoulders.

"I'm sorry I can't make any of this easier, but I can tell you that anyone who helped you get here should and would be so, so proud of you. You're doing your best, and that's all anyone could ask for."

"Thank you," Liam says, letting his eyes close for a second as Spencer works through a particularly tense knot in his shoulder. "That's... I'm trying to believe that."

"If you want, you could come out to the farm tomorrow. I've got some work, but if you wanted to study in the house or a barn, we could find you a place. I might even put you to work when that big brain of yours needs a break."

"I don't want to be in the way," Liam says, but Spencer just shakes his head.

"Nonsense. I mean, you don't have to, obviously, but if you want, it would be nice not to have to eat meals alone. The farm feels empty."

"If you're sure I wouldn't be in the way, I'd like that," Liam says. He's still got his head leaned on Spencer's chest, but despite being upside down, his smile looks almost normal. It's miles better than it was when they'd first met up.

A bit of hair flops down into his face as he and Spencer make eye contact, and he blows at it a bit. It lands in the exact same place, and he blows at it again, going cross-eyed as he stares at it and almost smiling as it flutters above him for a moment. When it falls right back where it was, Spencer takes one hand off Liam's shoulder and brushes it away. As he does, his fingers barely skimming Liam's forehead, their eyes catch again, and for a split second, Spencer can't breathe. He's sure that Liam can hear his heart thumping against his chest, but he can't remember how to make himself care. He can't remember how to do anything but look at Liam's face, taking in the bags under his eyes and the stubble on his chin, the flop of hair on his forehead and the way his lashes fan out when he blinks. But no matter what else he looks at, he keeps being drawn back to Liam's eyes. They're stunning. There's something about them, a fierceness and a light that captivates Spencer. He's aware that he's been looking at Liam for too long, and that he should look away, but somewhere, he realizes that it takes two people to make eye contact, and Liam isn't looking away, either.

Then a crow caws, a little too close to the food, and Spencer looks over to make sure he's not stealing anything important, breaking the spell.

"It's, uh, is it getting late?" Liam asks, moving his head off Spencer's chest to rub the back of his neck as he checks his phone. Spencer gives his shoulders a last squeeze and steps back; they're still tense but better than they were.

"It might feel that way; when did you get up?"

"Oh, definitely way too early. And, you know, it's... it's been a long one. I should probably head home, but, um, if you're sure I won't be in the way, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"That sounds good." They finalize plans as they pack the picnic basket, and Spencer insists that Liam take home the leftovers, so the picnic basket ends up in the back seat of Liam's car next to two care packages and a little cooler of fresh milk and veggies.

On AO3

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Hvis ikke din pik rører din navle når den er stiv; then watch who u talking to bitch.

Pathology Rotation

This is a weird rotation in many regards. I am very skeptical by nature and was very unsure that I would like this rotation. My hours were typically within the 8-5 range which made me and Coriander very happy.

Most days I spent my mornings doing clinical pathology

I made blood smears, cytology preps of tumors, cytology prep of cavitary fluids, doing manual white blood cell differential counts which is great except for when it isn’t, made urine preparations for sediment analysis. The list goes on.

We also did a lot of labwork analysis. This meant we pooled data from a patient’s CBC, Chemistry, VBG, urinalysis +/- coags +/- extra testing and tried to explain every minor elevation or decrease. I spent a lot of time on eClinpath trying to remember how living beings function on a biochemical level. We had these cases on an almost daily basis with in depth assignments that we then had to present to our classmates the following day, plus clinical skills competencies we have to pass to graduate, plus we would have slides assigned to be completed on our own time for practice so that we could talk about them as a group. We also had a midterm exam and a final exam. These were each a very in-depth case which took me a considerable amount of time and whose write-ups totaled 9 pages each. This portion of the rotation made me feel like I was swamped.

In the afternoons, we drove to our diagnostic laboratory and biosecure facility for necropsy. I enjoyed this part of my rotation more than I thought I would. The staff and faculty were extremely relaxed and welcoming. I did not feel out of place here. I of course called dibs on any non-traditional companion animals and my classmates were more than happy to oblige me. It also gave me a chance to really shine in rounds because hardly any of my classmates know differentials for these critters.

My family was surprised that this rotation did not bother me, but I think the veterinary community has a very different view on death than the average person. Being surrounded by death all day was a non-factor for me (aside from the smell) and it felt more like being an investigator than anything else.

Most of our caseload was comprised of cats, dogs, and cows, but there was so much more:

A Russian domesticated fox – primary pancreatic carcinoma with serosal, hepatic, and pulmonary metastasis

Bison bull calf with heavy Trichuris parasitism and BVDV

Hedgehog with Wobbler’s Syndrome – unknown cause but cool to look at on histopathology

A rabbit with severe dehydration

A wallaby joey with e.coli related septicemia

A macaw with an unknown diagnosis

A ball python with Spider Wobble

A Colobus with uterine adenocarcinoma

A mouse from our research lab on campus with mammary carcinoma

We had two assignments for this portion of the rotation related to necropsy sampling for a given case (I chose a meat rabbit case) and a diagnostic toxicology case. What I now know is that Zinc Phosphide is scary and humans need to be more careful about how we bait ‘pest’ species. A lot of these toxins can end up in our wild birds.

Aside from being constantly swamped with work, this was good information for my upcoming NAVLE which I take 12/9. The anxiety is setting in and it feels as though there is absolutely no way in the world I will be prepared for it. I am tossing around the idea of getting a piercing or tattoo following it to reward myself.

On a brighter note, my next rotation is a small animal externship where I take Coriander for his veterinary care. They are a very dedicated group of vet professionals that I am excited to work with. Bring on the critters!

🏨 Banfield Vet Hospitals

Anonymous said: 🏨 What is your opinion on banfield pet hospitals? I've heard a lot of really negative things, but I just interviewed at one for a tech position and it's honestly my favorite place that I've interviewed at so far.  Question tax: If you could replay any childhood video game, which one would it be?

Banfield is all over North America, but it’s not in Australia so I don’t have direct experience with them, aside from one single instance.

A couple of representatives came to give us a lunchtime talk in my second year at Uni. The University of Melbourne was in the process of getting accreditation for the vet degree in the USA, so they were basically coming down to talk us into going to work for them after we graduated.

They talked about wages and working conditions and so on and tried to sell us on doing the NAVLE and coming up to work for them. And they gave us really cheap highlighters and these little ‘handbooks’ for veterinary medicine to make us think warmly of them.

I don’t think anyone went. It felt really dodgy and desperate that these Americans were trying to poach Australian vet students with offers of work experience and relocation allowances, and extra cash for their isolated locations.

Plus the arrogant American salesman/showman behavior really doesn’t go down well with me.

So Banfield as individual clinics and clinicians might be doing fine, but I’m cautiously side-eyeing the whole national corporation, particularly as I understand they they pay their employees if they take up positions on AVMA boards. You know, the things that lobby the government and vote on the direction of the industry?

How Veterinary School is the real world equivalent of Hogwarts.

For many veterinary students this profession has been a dream from when they were in kindergarten, much like a young witch or wizard hoping that they get their very own acceptance letter to Hogwarts when they turn 11. Most of them are fairly confident that they are getting it, because they are purebloods (or in muggle terms a legacy student). While others, like myself, are hoping that there magical ability (academic accomplishment and extracurricular activities) were enough to earn them a spot. No matter the background every young witch or wizard is ecstatic when they finally get that letter.

Once accepted, there is a whirlwind of things that need to be accomplished prior to getting on the Hogwart’s express. First you have to go to Diagon Alley (Amazon) to purchase their many school supplies: books, robes (spirit gear/ scrubs), wands (dissection kit), and trunks (backpacks). Getting off the train and arriving to Hogwarts (Veterinary school) you are greeted by the larger than life groundskeeper, Hagrid, who shuttles you across the Black lake to the castle. The whole time all the first years students are getting acquainted and more excited to actually enter the school.

 At our college we have a whole week of orientation, you are greeted by the larger than life dean of student’s and many other higher ups in the college. You are given a tour of the hospital by some of the upper classmen. During this orientation process, much like Hogwarts, our school has houses that you are sorted into. These houses compete throughout the year in various activities to build up the students morale and build bonds that will last a life time.

There are so many classes that you go through in veterinary school that honestly have a Hogwarts counterpart: 

Potions= Pharmacology

Care of Magical Creatures= Medicine Courses

Charms= Emergency Medicine/ Pain management

 Astronomy= Radiology

Defence Against the Dark Arts= Bacteriology/ Mycology/ Parasitology/ Virology

History of Magic= History of Veterinary Medicine

Herbology= Toxicology 

Devination= Clinical Pathology and Veterinary Neuroscience

Transfiguration=Surgery 

 And with each of those courses comes the many professors and the personalities they bring with them.

The Professor Snape: A professor/ clinician that instills fear in every student they come across. They may have a few students that they tolerate more than others but for the most part they hate students. They would really prefer tinkering by themselves and work on different research projects but because this is a teaching hospital they are forced to interact with people. But in their own words “I am tenured so what are they going to do?”  

The Professor Kettleburn: A professor/ clinician that loves all animals, no matter how dangerous they are or how often said animal has tried to kill them. They have some of the coolest war stories around but they also have the associated battle scars. You wish you were as brave as they were but you also question their sanity. 

The Professor Binns: A professor/ clinician that drones on and on and doesn’t even notice that half of the class is not paying attention, while the other half of the class has fallen asleep. Sometimes they even bore themselves while they are lecturing on the subject. 

The Professor Flitwick: A professor/ clinician that is very eccentric and likable. They always seem to be in a happy mood and will do anything in their power to brighten your day. Often times they are exceptional in their specialty making them a force to be reckoned with. 

The Professor McGonagall: The professor/ clinician that seems very serious when you first meet them but as the years go on you realize that they are one of the students biggest supporters. They are hard on you when they need to be, but they are understanding and helpful when it is most needed. They are astounding in their field and are respected by all that know them. 

The Professor Sprout: The professor/ clinician that is very earthy and was likely your toxicology professor. They don’t really deal with animals a whole lot but they deal with the plants that could kill said animals. They are the leader of the misfits but they are very likable people.  

The Professor Trelawney: A professor/ clinician that seems to live on their own planet. Most of the time you think they are making things up as they are going but every once in a blue moon they get something right. And the things they do get right are world changing so that’s why they are still around. 

The Professor Lupin: A professor that was only with your class for a short period of time. They always look disheveled and like they had a hard night. They are very nice and often very good at working with students but misunderstood by most of the faculty.

The Professor Dumbledore: A professor/ clinician that leads a complex life, but also has a taste for some of the simpler things. They are brilliant, eccentric, loving, and strict. You go through school thinking you have them pegged and then you get to clinics and realize that this person is far deeper than you ever imagined. 

The Hagrid: A technician or hospital staff member that would do anything to help the students. They often give tips and tricks that the clinician probably wish they wouldn’t divulge but they really don’t care because they like the students more than the clinicians anyway. They love all the animals as if they were their own, and often times they pour their heart and soul into the treatment of those animals. Treat these people nicely, they will be your best friends during the clinical year. 

The last comparison to be made is between the main characters of the story (including the villains) and all of your classmates. 

Harry: The chosen one. They seem to have all the clinicians and professors on their side. They can do no wrong and very few people truly dislike them. While from the outside looking in it appears that everything in their life is so easy, often times that is quiet the opposite. Rarely do they actually know what they are doing, they just get lucky and have a lot of help.

Ron: The funny best friend to the chosen one. They may be just as smart or be the reason that the chosen one accomplished as much as the did, but because they are the sidekick they don’t get nearly as much credit as they deserve. But they are okay with that, because they are good people. 

Hermione: The brainy student that you hear everyday in class. When a teacher asks a question, they raise their hand first. They are overachievers, so much so that you wonder how they have time for it all (time-turners must be real right?) They have tidbits of knowledge tucked away and they are ready to apply at the drop of a hat. The more you get to know them, the more likable they are but damn were you annoyed before that (this is me...).

The Weasley Twins: The jokesters. The professors know that they are pranksters, and sometimes they help pull off grand schemes. Other professors hate them because “this is a professional program so you need to act like grown-ups.” They may even drop out in there clinical year because this really wasn’t for them in the first place.

Luna: That one classmate that always seems to have their head in the clouds, and when they actually talk you never really know what might come out of their mouths. They are brilliant in their own right but they are extremely eccentric and have some beliefs that are not widely accepted by the veterinary community. 

Neville: The student that you constantly find yourself asking how they got here in the first place, since they are all but a squib anyways. They always seem to be struggling and never really seem to have a full grasp of what is going on. But then you see them in the clinics, and watch them finally gain some traction and see their education come full circle. It’s like something finally clicked and they found their element. 

Ginny: The students from the classes beneath you that are associated with your class for one reason or another. They may be a roommate, a girlfriend/ boyfriend, a classmate that failed a class, or your first year buddy. Either way you see them so much that sometimes you forget they are not part of your graduating class. 

Peeves: They speak mainly in riddles, and they are constantly trying to start some kind of drama. They get along pretty well with the Weasley twin’s because they are all up to no good. They will not rest until mischief is managed. And they show up when they are least wanted, because all they do is make your life harder.

Moaning Myrtle: That one student that you always see crying in the hallways. You wonder what in the world makes their life so hard that they are always on the verge of tears, but who knows maybe that’s just how they handle stress. Everyone is afraid to be left alone with this person because you never know when the waterworks might be coming.

Malfoy: The one classmate that everyone loves to hate. Not only did they chose to act like a total ass-hat within the first year of school, but they continued to make decisions that put them at odds with most of the class. They may have wanted to be a good person, but their inherently bad heart lead them to make all the wrong choices.  

Crabb and Goyle: They are associated with the aforementioned villainous classmate, so everyone still hates them. When in all reality they probably are not that bad but they are associated with the wrong people and have forever been grouped with that hatred.  

Filch: This is the student that absolutely hates anything fun, despises the Weasley twins, and HATES PEEVES! They walk around with a scowl on their face, their scary sidekick in toe, ready to turn in anyone that even thinks about breaking a rule. Sometimes you wonder how they got past the interview process to begin with, but maybe they just scared the interviewers so much that they had to let them in. 

Voldemort: This is the NAVLE in my mind. You can’t reach your full potential if you don’t defeat that damn test. Every year you are in school the weight of that test grows heavier and heavier. You know the final battle is going to test everything you have learned throughout your years of school and training. You know that it is going to be an epic battle of wits and you are going to leave that testing center feeling a lot worse for the ware but it can be done. IT MUST BE DONE FOR YOU TO LIVE YOUR LIFE LIKE THE PROPHECY PREDICTED!

Dolores Umbridge: This person isn’t necessarily a classmate, but it could be. They are despised beyond all others. They are hated more than the NAVLE, maybe not feared as much, but definitely hated more. They have inserted themselves into your veterinary school experience and every minute with them made it worse.

Bellatrix Lestrange: This person is sadistic and enjoys torturing people just because they like to watch them fall apart. They are intelligent but mentally unbalanced and easily lose focus but they are devoted to making the life of their victims worse through the teachings of Voldemort. Often twists reality to suit their view and purpose. Everyone is below them in status, at least that’s how they see things. Evil incarnated. 

Lucius Malfoy: This person often considers themselves better than those around them because of where they come from. Often acting as though other classmates are beneath them because those classmates took a different route to get here. At times they may even attempt to sabotage their classmates because of their belief that they are superior. This person often hides in the shadows, making it hard to detect their true feelings but if you watch their repeated actions their beliefs become very clear. 

Sirius Black: A person that you originally thought was evil due to rumors that had gone around the class. Then you take the time to get to know them and hey become family. People wonder why you like them, but you tell them that this person is good people.

Molly Weasley: This person is a mother figure in your school. It may be a classmate, a faculty member, or supporting staff. They often bring baked goods to class and try to make sure that everyone is happy and taken care of. They check-in often and are always there for you when you are down in the dumps.

Arthur Weasley: This person is a father figure to all. Often fascinated with things that have nothing to do with veterinary medicine. The job that they have often contradicts those outside interests but they don’t mind. They are goofy and light hearted most of the time but will kick ass and take names if need be.

Madeye Moody: This person knows everything, so much so that you are pretty sure they can see in all directions. They look crazy and dangerous but in all reality they are very smart and somebody you want on your team. At times they seem paranoid until their suspicions come to fruition.

Dobby: This is your family and friends that always seem to be there when you need them most. They put up with being treated like garbage because you are their family. Because let’s be honest, these people take the brunt of your piss poor mood when you are stressed. They are the closest too you so they see the absolute worst of you, but yet they still love you. So give Dobby something nicer than a used sock... Say thank you for the years that they put up with you. 

Hedwig: Don’t forget about the veterinary student’s pets. They are the real heroes to this story. Not only do they keep us sane but they put up with our constant poking and prodding. They also get voluntold to be the dummy for sooooo many wetlabs. All the while they greet you at the door with a wagging tail or a rub of the leg and would sacrifice their life for your at the drop of a hat.

Choosing a Vet School

I had to choose between my two acceptances before the April 15th national deadline between Michigan State University and Long Island University. Below, I’ve outlined my pros and cons list for each school, which ultimately helped me make the ultimate decision.

Michigan State University:

Pros: 

Well-established and reputable veterinary school

Has own veterinary college infrastructure and teaching hospital

Reduced tuition starting this incoming year making tuition cheaper than Long Island University

I get to live on my own (as someone who really enjoys my independence from my family, this is huge)

Support group in Ann Arbor, a mile away (my lab, Ann Arbor friends)

Current students seem immensely happy and feel supported by their faculty and administration

Dedicated resources for vet students such as library, student space, psychologist, social services, financial help, clubs/student orgs

New curriculum: flipped classroom seems like a method in which I would thrive. I really like the idea and it excites me to learn body systems one at a time rather than all at once. I feel like I would succeed better in that kind of environment.

High NAVLE pass rate: historically the pass rates has been from 95% to 98%

Highly ranked: vet school rankings honestly do not matter, but it does give me a sense of pride and accomplishment to attend the 3rd best veterinary school in the United States, ranked 8th in the world (according to the QS 2020 ranking)

As an out-of-state student, if you commit to working in Michigan for one year after you graduate, the college refunds you the cost difference between the out of state and instate tuition for your fourth year, which is HUGE. They just give you a check, no strings attached, and you can just do whatever you want with it. They say some people pay their student loan with it, some people just go buy a car with it, literally that money is yours!

Support system from upperclassmen: there are established classes already at the school that I would be able to reach out for support, advice, and mentorship.

As I’ve been living and working in Michigan for the past three years out of undergrad, I can apply for in-state residency, which would significantly lower my tuition, if approved by the registrar (cross my fingers)

Lots of opportunities to engage in research, clubs/organizations, study abroad, etc.

Professors seem to really enjoy teaching and engage with the students to succeed. According to current students, they are accessible and supportive beyond just the academic sphere.

According to students, once you are in the school, the school tries really hard to make sure you succeed and don’t fail out.

Big sib/little sib and “houses” mentorship and bonding

Cons:

out of state tuition used to be one of the highest in the country (BUT pro: has been recently reduced for the incoming class!!!!)

Michigan. I talked about this more in my Michigan State University interview post. Basically I kind of want to move out of Michigan for personal reasons, but beggars cannot be choosers, and ultimately this really isn’t a big deal in the long run.

Long Island University:

Pros:

Close to my family on Long Island (~25 minutes away) so established support group in the area

I can commute to school, which saves money on high living expenses on Long Island

New school so can establish modernized curriculum and culture, without being bogged down by “historical” culture.

Honestly, a new, clean slate to establish culture, organizations, leaderships, and other opportunities.

New facilities being built mean state-of-the-art and modern technologies and commodities (usually), but I’m a firm believer of “show, not tell” and as this university has not actually built their facility yet, refer to the second and third bullet point of the “cons” list about this.

Cons:

I’d live with my family on Long Island (lol - I love my family, but we get along better when we have our own space)

Does not currently have a dedicated veterinary school/facility or teaching hospital. It seems like they have plans to build a veterinary school, but haven’t done so, yet. They have plans to start building in June, but I am hesitant to confidently think they would be able to have a fully functional and safe building by the start of term in August, especially now that there is COVID-19 hitting Long Island and that part of the island particularly hard. 

No plans to build a teaching hospital which means all clinical rotations will be off-site and done in partnerships with clinics/institutions around Long Island. I know some schools already do this and it works for them (ie: Lincoln Memorial University), but I am not personally a fan of this method because I feel like there would be inconsistencies with clinical assessment and evaluation and therefore would be difficult to normalize for each student. Also, I’ve heard some horror stories of partnerships falling through and students having to commute long distances just for a rotation, that’s not supposed to be an externship.

It was difficult to communicate with the school about the resources or opportunities they have available to students. They never really had a Q/A or informational session. It was difficult to determine how much support the administration and faculty provide for their students. How invested are they to our personal and professional success?

EXTREMELY confusing application process. This might be just because it was the first time they are taking in a class for their vet school and it will hopefully improve in the future, but the experience for me and many other applicants according to student doctor network have been awfully convoluted. I was one of the lucky ones that applied early and therefore the process wasn’t bad for me at all, to be honest, but for other applicants, it was very nebulous and it makes me doubtful of the college’s ability to communicate and treat their students at the same level as a more established school that already has their administration down pat.

I reflected and contemplated a lot about the different aspects of each school that made me excited and hesitant to attend there. Read more below to see which school I chose!

I’ve decided to become a Spartan at Michigan State University! :) Go Green!!!!

YALL!!!! GUESS WHAT?!

I PASSED THE NAVLE!!!!! YA GIRL IS OFFICIALLY GONNA A VETERINARIAN!!!!! I PASSED I PASSED I PASSED!!!! No more studying!! Graduation is in 9 days and then I���ll officially get to say I’m a veterinarian!!!! I DID IT!!!!

So you want to be a veterinarian...

Ask a handful of children what they want to be when they grow up and there’s a good chance that someone will say veterinarian. It has long been a dream career of many animal lovers, but is it right for you?

I fall into the “it’s all I’ve ever wanted to be” category. For as long as I can remember I was telling my parents that I was going to be a veterinarian. Human medicine? No, thank you. While I thought I had a pretty good understanding of veterinary medicine before I started veterinary school, I soon realized I didn’t know it all. That being said, veterinary medicine is definitely the right career for me. This post will go over the process of becoming a veterinarian, and the pros and cons of the job.

How do I become a Veterinarian?

To become a veterinarian, you must attend veterinary school. In North America, these programs are typically four years long. 

Pre-Veterinary School Depending on where you live, there are prerequisites you must complete before applying to veterinary school. Many programs require completion of a four year undergraduate degree, taking some specific required courses. Some schools only require 20 prerequisite undergraduate courses (two years) in order to apply. The admissions process is competitive so keeping competitive grades is advantageous, though a 4.0 is not necessary. Good, but not great, grades do not mean you’re immediately cast aside. There are other components to your application. Many applications include veterinary/animal experience and extra circulars. During high school and undergraduate you should participate in a variety of clubs and volunteer activities. This makes you a more well rounded applicant, and also can be quite enjoyable. Some examples: - volunteer at a veterinary clinic: I personally believe everyone should spend time in a veterinary clinic before applying to veterinary school, regardless of importance for application. This will allow you to see what the job actually involves. - volunteer at farms, wildlife clinics, SPCAs etc. - 4-H or similar. - Student government (leadership, communication). - Pre-vet society/club. - Any other club/society on campus, ie. biology society, GSA, yearbook etc. Some schools, especially in the USA, require letters of recommendation. The school may specify who they are looking for letters from (i.e. vet, professor, etc). Make sure you make positive connections with the people you work with in order to allow for a positive recommendation. Finally, standardized testing is required by most veterinary schools, specifically the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). More information about this can be found online.

As a Canadian student, you may only apply to your regional Canadian school, unless you would like to apply internationally. As an American student, you can apply to a large number of schools within your county. Research each school as many have specific areas of interest, different cost, different living style etc. After applying to veterinary school, many schools will then invite candidates for an interview. The type of interview varies depending on the school so make sure you look into the specifics of each school you will be interviewed at. Veterinary School I will give you specifics of my education as an example, though all veterinary schools differ. In general, be prepared for a lot of work. You will be taking many classes at once. For example, I was often taking 10 courses per semester. Many of these courses included a laboratory component.  A large number of classes equates to a large amount of home preparation and studying. Midterm season at my school was typically weeks long. The work load is certainly manageable, don’t let that alone scare you off, though it does take a lot of dedication and planning. The most important piece of advice I have in regards to course load is to make sure you still find time for yourself. Without taking care of yourself and constantly studying, you will burnout. My school had three years of course work, followed by one year of clinical practice. During the three pre-clinical years, we did have exposure to animals throughout labs and shifts in the clinic. We first perform surgery in third year under supervision of the course doctors. For the most part, the pre-clinical years followed a pretty general schedule (other than surgery duties). Starting class at 8 and being done by 4. There are opportunities outside of courses to get involved with clinical/medical activities. Veterinary school have a large variety of clubs that may offer these extra opportunities - ie. pathology club necropsies, exotic animal club medical producers, internal medicine club cadaver labs... There may be opportunity with a local stray spay/neuter program through your school to get extra experience with surgery as well. Clinical year is a whole new ball game. At my school the year was broken into three week segments. Each segment you are placed somewhere new - i.e.. three weeks in the surgery department, three weeks in radiology, three weeks at an external clinic of your choosing... This year takes you away form the classroom and puts you into “doctor” mode. Keep in mind that each veterinary school operates on a different schedule (some introducing clinical earlier in the program) and that this is my personal experience. What your duties are will depend on the school as well. During my clinical year, student are involved in client communication, history taking, diagnostic planning, treatment administration, clinical skills, participation in surgery, etc. All under direct supervision. The hours for this portion of schooling are not predictable and definitely do not run 8-4. Many placements include after hours care of the patients, on-call work, lengthly paperwork, etc. All while studying for the dreaded NAVLE. Even though it was often dreadful, clinical year was my favourite year of veterinary school. Everything started to come together and honestly, it was a lot of fun.

NAVLE In North America, in order to practice veterinary medicine, you must past the licensing examination, the NAVLE. This is a 360 question multiple choice test that encompasses everything you have studied throughout veterinary school. Your school will help you apply and register when the time comes. You will technically be preparing for the NAVLE all of veterinary school but will specifically study for it in your final year. There are preparatory courses that you may purchase and your school may host review classes. The test is written in December and April.

So those are the cliff-notes of how to become a veterinarian. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, would like clarification or would like me to go further into detail.

So after all of that, what are the pros and cons?

Lets not beat around the bush, starts with the cons:

Debt - veterinary school is NOT cheap and the income does not match the level of debt obtained. The majority of students will graduate with $100,000-$200,000+ in debt. This is not unmanageable, though it can be daunting. 

Extensive training - veterinary school is not easy, and it is not for everyone. You will need to be knowledgeable about many species and many subjects. 

Working with owners - “I want to be a vet because I don’t like people”, just no. This is a customer service career. You will speak to people every day. You will have to convince people to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on their pets. You will get yelled at, told you’re in it for the money, probably threatened at some point. 

Working within a budget - unlike human doctors, we really need to think about the cost of each and every thing we do. You will often have owners come in with $100 dollars to their name and a very sick animal, you need to figure out what the options are in each instance.

Euthanasia - many people find this one of the more difficult parts of the job. I personally believe it’s how you look at it. Euthanasia can be a wonderful gift. I do not euthanize healthy animals.

Work-place hazards - our patients can be aggressive and difficult to handle. This is often due to stress or being scared, but it is a danger to veterinary staff. You need to understand how to read signals and prevent dangerous situations from happening. Veterinarians are also exposed to chemicals, radiation, heavy lifting etc.

Hours - depending on where you work, the hours can be gruelling. Not everyone has the luxury of a 40 hour work week. We often stay late (for no extra pay) finishing cases, tending to patients, calling clients, doing paperwork, etc. Many veterinarians must perform on-call duties. This may lead to 2 hours of sleep between shifts.

Responsibility - every decision we make is life or death. The type of drug, the dose, surgery, etc. The job carries a huge amount of responsibility that can be very stressful for certain people.

Ok, so despite all of that, I’m still a veterinarian. I still love my job. Why?

Debt - yes, I have a huge amount of debt. Is it manageable, yes. There are many people in the world who have more debt than me. I hate that its becoming normal for people to have debt, but it is.

Extensive training - vet school sucked, but it was also awesome. I know so much about so many things. I’m proud of the level of knowledge I gained while in vet school. I’m proud of the person I have become through my extensive training.

Working with owners - the vast majority of my clients are absolutely wonderful. There are owners that light up my day, that I look forward to talking to, that remind me how much I love my job. We have many lovely reviews written about us, cards sent in, treats brought in for staff etc. For every person that gets mad at me for cost, there are many more that are understanding and work with me to find a solution within their budget

Working within a budget - this is a con no matter what way you look at it, though I can say that when you’re willing to work with owners and help them within their means, they are often very thankful. There are many cases you can help within a tight budget.

Euthanasia - I tell every owner that euthanasia is a gift. We get to take away pain and suffering. This makes it much easier for me to deal with this on a daily basis.

Work-place hazards - proper training and education can help minimize hazards. Low stress handling, proper restraint etc.

Hours - not every job has horrible hours. I work, on average 40 hours a week. Some days I stay a little late to finish up, but it usually doesn't bother me. Yes, I do on-call but it is not very often. I have a great work life balance. You need to take this into consideration when looking for a job.

Responsibility - you get to call the shots, you get to save lives, help pets, help owners. You do not have to do it alone. There are so many resources out there to help. It’s definitely scary and daunting the first few years out, but its also very satisfying. Confidence grows day by day.

You get to live you dream job.

You get to be a part of an amazing team that shares the same goals as you.

You get to impact the lives of so many people and their pets.

You get to be an ambassador of the animals.

You get to go to work and learn something new every single day.

So, still think veterinary medicine is for you? Reach for the stars <3

NAVLE PREP

We've been having NAVLE talks from different prep companies. Does anyone have opinions on who has the best preparation tools? Alternatively, send animal pictures because the stress just got real.

I'll start:

hey guys! so today I thought I’d talk about note taking. I’ve tried a few different ways of taking notes throughout my two and half years of college but I’ve (finally!) settled on a way that is working really well for me. I got myself an iPad and Apple Pencil for my 21st birthday in August. it has honestly revolutionised how I take notes - I’m insanely productive now compared to first year! I have a few different ways of taking notes depending on how the lecturer teaches, but I take them all on an app that I bought called GoodNotes (thanks @janicestudiess !). you guys have probably all heard of it: it is beautiful for taking notes on - it writes so naturally.

method one: in most lectures, I take notes by downloading the slideshow and saving it as a pdf with 4 slides per page. I import that pdf onto GoodNotes, which I have scrolling vertically, and I write my notes directly onto the slideshow. I have a keyboard for my iPad, too, so if the lecturer gives a lot of additional information (for instance, gives a case as an example), I can insert a blank page and type on that. the majority of my notes are taken this way, and I then type up those notes into a document. I try to type them up the same day so that the information stays nice and fresh in my brain - I don’t always manage that, though!

method two: if the lecturer doesn’t upload a slideshow, I open a notebook in GoodNotes and either type or handwrite my notes depending on how fast the lecturer is going. if they go through slowly enough, I write my notes by hand because I find that I remember the information better. however, if the lecturer zooms through their slides as fast as can be, I type so that I can get down all the information - in those cases, I just tend to type everything that they say! the slideshows are usually uploaded after the lecture if they are not up beforehand, so I try to keep track of the slide number as they go. that way, I can correlate the notes I have taken with the slides; if I have time to look up - which is not always the case, I have one lecturer who could rival an auctioneer in terms of words per minute! - it also means that I avoid writing out what is already on the slides.

other tips:

if the lecturer is going extremely fast and it is hard to keep up with slide numbers, write the titles of slides down if you can. that way, you’ll have reference points with which to correlate the slides

use a highlighter sparingly - there is no point in colouring in an entire slide, so just pick out very key words or ideas. I have two highlighter colours as presets on my iPad: one is for important ideas within the lectures, and the other is to note anything which the lecturer points out as important for exams. we European vets who plan to practice in North America have to take an exam called the NAVLE, and lecturers will often point out topics which are commonly asked questions on in the NAVLE. they also mention topics which frequently come up in mid-terms and finals - they do want you to do well!

I know that it can be daunting, but sit in the front row. you’ll end up being forced to stay awake because the lecturer is right in front of you, and it is also tons easier to engage in the subject matter!

let me know if you have any questions!! :)

The Long Way

A nice fun Liam/Spencer fic, because these boys deserve the world.

Summary: (Alternately titled “SOMEONE GIVE LIAM A HUG” or “Stronk Farm Boyfriends”)Liam’s just finishing up vet school, and he’s a month shy of achieving the thing he’s been working for since he was a kid. When he gets called out to a farm to witness a calf birth and notices something wrong, under-researched, and curable, it’s the perfect thing to treat and document so he can write a paper that will jump-start his career. Of course, the fact that the calf is owned by a cute dairy farmer doesn’t hurt, either.

Chapter one // Chapter two // On AO3

Chapter 3

The next morning, Spencer wakes up to a note telling him that the cows have been fed, milked, loved, and let out to pasture, and that Liam had cleaned the milking parlor as well as he could before he had to leave, but that someone else should probably look it over and make sure he did it well enough. It also tells him that he has a temperature and is supposed to stay in bed and ask his parents to come look after him and supervise things today, and it promises that Liam will come by that night with soup, medicine, and popcorn if Spencer's feeling up to it. He texts Liam his thanks, and Liam responds with a picture of a dog he's looking after and a reminder to stay in bed and let himself be taken care of. It's not something Spencer's particularly good at, but he obeys Liam's orders, letting his parents come out to run the farm for the day while he naps and does some work from bed.

That night, Liam arrives with a container of frozen soup and a bag full of painkillers, Tylenol, and other medicine cabinet staples. He makes Spencer sit and watch while he heats up soup on the stove, putting another container in the freezer before Spencer can argue. He refuses to listen when Spencer says he can restock his own medicine cabinet, or when Spencer tries to tell him to study for the NAVLE while he stirs the soup. At this point, it's only a week or two away, and Spencer's seen the test prep books and the notes scattered around the back of video calls and in his car. He's gotten glimpses of how hard Liam's working, but tonight, Liam refuses to study, instead getting Spencer settled on the couch, then coming over with bowls of soup and settling on the opposite end, which is apparently enough space between them that he doesn't have to worry about getting sick. He insists Spencer pick a movie for them to watch, something lighthearted that he's seen before, and when it turns out Liam's never seen Treasure Planet, Spencer pulls that up for them to watch with their soup. Even as he finishes dinner and feels the tiredness of being sick start to set in, he keeps his eyes open, fighting against yawns and drooping eyelids to watch Liam react to Jim's adventures.

Spencer's exhaustion is just starting to win against his desire to watch Liam finish the movie when he notices what might be tears on Liam's cheeks. That wakes him up enough to turn back to the TV, and he sees Jim and Long John Silver talking. He forces himself awake enough to pay attention, and it's a moment he always loved as a kid. He can quote it word for word, and for years, he had a poster that said "you've got the makings of greatness in you" on his wall. It's the first time in the movie when Jim's felt good at what he does, and maybe the first time in years he's been told he's not just a mess, and Spencer remembers always being happy to see him get a hug. His parents used to hug him at this point, and tell him they loved him. And suddenly, a question about Liam's parents surfaces from the depths of his sleepy mind.

He's not awake enough to formulate it, or to read Liam's expression enough to know if he can ask. He's not sure if he's healthy enough to be allowed to do anything about Liam's tears. But just sitting there feels wrong, too. Slowly, he reaches his foot across the couch to rest it on Liam's. Liam doesn't react, but he doesn't move away, either. Spencer falls asleep with his foot on Liam's, trying to think of a reason for him to cry or a way to ask about it.

--

Liam had meant to turn the movie off and study when Spencer fell asleep, but somehow, he can't stop watching. Knowing it was one of Spencer's favorite movies from when he was a kid probably doesn't hurt; he can tell himself he's just watching to get to know Spencer better. It's definitely not because he wants to watch Jim achieve his dreams, or to know that he gets to have a home and a family and people who love him even if he's messed up time and time again.

He watches through the end of the movie, and only when the credits are rolling is he able to tear himself away enough to turn it off and gather their dishes. He comes back to the couch to take Spencer to bed but instead finds him just starting to blink awake, pushing himself upright.

"Sorry, I... I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"No, it's alright. You fell right into the trap. The movie was part of my master plan to make you fall asleep early," Liam says, and Spencer smiles though a yawn.

"Did you like it?"

"I did. Now, come on, let's get you to bed."

"What time is it?"

"Bedtime, at least for people with fevers. If you sleep like you have been, you're going to take longer to get better."

"But I wanted to quiz you," Spencer says. His voice is still thick with sleep, and he yawns massively before he can continue, rubbing at his eyes. His hair sticks up in the back, and somewhere, even if he knows he shouldn't, Liam finds it adorable. "I don't want to get you sick, but you can send me your quizlet or your study guide or something and I can quiz you from my laptop. I... if you're going to help me, I want to help you study, and I'm not getting off this couch until you let me."

"Nope, come on," Liam says. He's started trying to pull Spencer up, but Spencer refuses to budge, grabbing on to the back of the couch.

"No! Let me--" he's cut off by a cough, one that has Liam frowning and resting a hand on his forehead.

"If I let you quiz me once, you'll go to bed after?" He asks, and Spencer nods. Liam seems to weigh his options for a moment, then sighs. "Alright. I'll go get my stuff, and if you're awake when I get back from the car, you can quiz me before you go to bed. I don't know what kind of weird deal we just made, but if it'll get you to look after yourself, I'll do it."

"You fell... right into my trap. My master plan to make you study," Spencer says, yawning in the middle of it. Liam rolls his eyes and goes to get his stuff, and he comes back to find Spencer clearly fighting to stay awake. He hands Spencer half his flashcards over the back of the couch, slipping the rest into his bag as he comes to sit down. Spencer doesn't notice, just starts to quiz him, stumbling over the Latin and yawning his way through the longer words. Liam just gets through the flashcards as quickly as they can, then gets Spencer up and to bed before settling down outside his room to keep studying until he's too tired to focus, when he gets up, checks on Spencer one last time, and heads out to the barn to sleep in the hay and sawdust with Annie.

He gets the morning chores taken care of the next day before going home to shower and change, and he texts Spencer that he's looked after things. He's at work when he gets a reply, that Spencer's feeling better but still has a fever, so he's resting again that day if Liam wants to come by and share the rest of the soup. So they fall into another pattern and another set of roles in each other's lives, though Liam's soup is replaced with Spencer's mom's cooking before long. They work their way through Spencer's favorite childhood movies, and Liam studies to a soundtrack of Robin Hood and Aladdin and The Fox and the Hound as Spencer's fever goes down and he falls asleep on the couch. When he's feeling well enough to go back to work, Liam thinks that'll be the end of it. After all, he's helped with what Spencer needs, and now that Spencer doesn't need him anymore, he won't be invited back. But that day at lunch, he gets a text inviting him over for dinner and either a night off or a study session, whichever he wants.

The thought of dedicating a Friday night to the NAVLE when it will already be consuming his weekend makes him want to scream, so he takes Spencer up on the option of a night off, and Spencer asks if he knows how to ride a horse. When Liam pulls up to the ranch that night, he finds Spencer standing outside a barn with two of the horses saddled up and a picnic packed in the saddle bags. They mount up, and Spencer leads the way out toward the pastures, where they can greet the cows and the newest addition to the ranch, a donkey Spencer's neighbors hadn't been able to look after anymore who he's agreed to take care of and let their grandkids visit. The animals are glad to see them, especially Spencer after he's been gone, but there's something special about the fact that they recognize Liam, too. Once they've loved them, though, Spencer leads them further back into the ranch, to land Liam's never seen that they rent out for boy scout camping and other events in the summer and fall. There's a stream and a fish pond, and when Spencer stops them on its banks and pulls out some of his mom's food, they're surrounded by all the gorgeous beauty of the open country that Liam's missed since his family moved into Austin proper.

Spencer asks him about work, and Liam gets to tell him about dogs and cats and a pigeon that someone had brought in for them to help out. He'd asked to be put on the pigeon case, and they'd had to amputate a toe, but Frank the pigeon is out and thriving on the streets of Austin once again. That makes Spencer laugh, a sound that warms Liam from the inside out, making him relax as the NAVLE drifts further and further from his mind. They finish eating as Spencer starts talking about what they do out here, about weddings and camps they've hosted and how he likes to have at least one day a year where they open it up for hiking and catch and release fishing. He shows Liam where groups will set up tents, and talks about how they've thought about horseback tours if they get more horses, or maybe planting corn or pumpkins for fall, though they've never quite gotten around to doing that early enough. Liam just listens to him talk as they ride, hearing not only the words but the way that Spencer's brain works, the way he bubbles over with ways to make people happy and provide for the farm. He talks about the farmer's market every summer, about loyal customers, a girl who always comes to buy cheese curds with a tote bag that has a cow on it and a mom who's been buying milk from him since she was pregnant and now has a three year old. He talks about the woman who he's had a stall next to for two years, an alpaca farmer who sells fiber and will talk your ear off about spinning or felting and is always liberal with help for people new to the craft. She's got pictures of the alpacas for sale, and Spencer wants to see about doing that with the cows, and that's when Liam can add something useful.

"The shelter I used to work for has a local photographer who comes in and takes pictures for their website; I could get you connected with him for at least a few pointers if nothing else. He volunteered at the shelter to build his portfolio, so I'm not sure what his rates are for pictures, or the commercial licenses or anything like that, but he could be a good place to start. "

"That would be great; thank you. I... I feel like I have so many ideas for this place, though, and it's just finding the time to implement them, you know? Especially since Mom and Dad moved into town, it's... there's just not enough time in the day for everything we wanted to do."

"Well, hey, you can feel free to tell me no, but after this test, I’ll have some time and would love to come out and help if you need it. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but just some manual labor and some basic animal care at least.”

"I'd like that," Spencer says, and his grin is genuine enough to sway any of Liam's fears that he's just doing it to be nice. "I don't know what we could pay you--"

"Pay me in outside time and home cooked meals and I'll be happy. I love places like this, and I really do love farm work. Let me be around the cows and the open land, and really, that's all I need. Well, that and maybe..." he hesitates a bit, but Spencer nods, and Liam says, "if you wouldn't mind having a puppy or a lamb or something out here sometimes? Just for a bit? I… we get orphans at work sometimes, and they always need more places to go. I wouldn’t want to make you do anything, but I could look after them, I just… I can’t have them in my apartment. My landlord won’t let me, and that’s not fair to them, either. I’m not asking you to become a sanctuary or anything, I know you’re a dairy farm, but maybe a rescue petting zoo could help at the farmer’s market or when you have schools come out to visit or something? And then we could take the babies somewhere else when they’re older, but just… they need more care when they’re babies, and a lot of places can’t do that.”

"I think we could make that work," Spencer says. He's got a hand resting on the pommel of his saddle, another scratching at the back of his neck, where he's somehow managed to get a mosquito bite despite being on bed rest all week. He'd complained about it at dinner, and Liam had to bite back a comment about how it might be because he’s so sweet. He can’t say things like that to Spencer, not like he would to Bell or some of his friends. “We could see about getting some calves in a petting zoo, too, and maybe Benjamin the donkey, since he doesn't really have a place to go right now. I don’t really know… you said you tend to get mostly babies?”

“Yeah; there are always orphan lambs and kids-- the goats, not like human children. Goats and sheep tend to have a bunch of babies at a time, so the moms can’t always look after all of them. And they’re not too hard to take care of, and really cute, so they could help draw people in the spring or for letting out day if you put up a petting zoo. And we get kittens; once I get somewhere that’ll let me I could foster them but bring them out if you have people coming, so they could play with and maybe even adopt them. I don’t want to make you look after my orphans or anything, and I swear I’d do the work, but just… there are so many babies who need a place like this, and if I could work and earn a little bit of space to raise them, I’d really appreciate it.”

“I think we could make some room,” Spencer says, grinning. “And it would be nice to have a vet around. I mean, it’s always nice having you around, but in case you didn’t feel like you’d be helpful. I… I'd really like having you out here more. When you weren’t coming out much, it was lonely.”

Liam grins at him, and they continue the tour, Spencer sharing about his plans for the farm and what he wants to do once he can get the funds and the time to do it. He’s one of the most dedicated farmers Liam’s ever seen, and there’s something beautiful about even just the way he moves around the farm. He’s relaxed out here, without the cows and the bills to stress him out, more like the Spencer who fell asleep in Annie's box or who posted selfies with friends on Instagram than the Spencer who's running a massive farm on his own. And all through the rest of the evening, there’s a little part of Liam thinking about spending more time out here, helping Spencer and showing it to Bell and really making it a part of his life. Bell will love it, if they get a chance she'd love coming out here with him and seeing the stream. He could take her swimming here, and even if he just planned on relaxing next to the pool she'd somehow get him into the water too, all playful kisses and enthusiastic love. Maybe Spencer would even come out, and laugh at how much Liam is at her beck and call, or maybe she'd be able to persuade him to get in the water, too, and the three of them would end up soaking wet and laughing.

It feels impossible. He's only here now because he's useful; Spencer will get sick of him before too long, and he’ll have to go back to spending most of his time at a crappy apartment in the city while he saves up for a spot he and Bell can call home. But still, at least for a bit, he gets to imagine that he could have a place here, and that feels special. Even as they finish their ride and he goes home to a pot of ramen and a late-night study session, his thoughts stray back outside Austin’s city limits, where he knows the cows are bedding down and the land behind the farm stretches for miles. When he finally drags himself to bed, he has just enough time to think about a little pen on that farm for animals he can foster, and ways Bell could help him, before he closes his eyes and is out like a light.

On AO3

You know that moment in Pride and Prejudice where Austen shows us/Elizabeth how much Darcy loves Pemberly as a way to show that he's a good dude? All I can say about this chapter is that the nature of humanity is that every now and then someone accidentally rewrites that scene.

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NAVLE Vs. PhD Prelims

It’s been a crazy month.  I’ve passed my prelims for my PhD, and so I would like to offer a comparison between the NAVLE & PhD Prelims. 

Compared to the NAVLE where you understand there’s no way you can learn everything, prelims make you well-aware of the information you should know but don’t.  Each of my committee members gave me some sort of hint regarding material to study.  I found out I passed immediately after my oral exams ended, but I left them entirely depressed and not wanting to talk to anyone.  I felt like a big disappointment because I didn’t know the answer to some of the questions.  At least in NAVLE, I didn’t have my mentors sitting right there as I answered everything.  PhD prelims are much more personal.  They are easier than the NAVLE, but the people giving you the exam are the same people you work with every single day.  I didn’t want to let them down, but I felt like I did.  It took everything to drag myself to trivia that night with my friends.  Taking and passing the NAVLE was a big relief.  Taking and passing prelims just made me feel so much worse about myself and my program.  It really beat down my confidence, but apparently I’m not alone.  Other grad students have the same experience as me.  Don’t let that discourage you from pursuing a graduate degree!  We all make it through in the end.  Passing prelims is one of the biggest hurdles in grad school.  I just needed to vent.

Now that I’ve been full-time in grad school a bit, I’m willing to answer any questions you all may have about pursuing a graduate degree after veterinary school.

Former OzTREKK student talks about studying at UQ Veterinary School

If you’re considering studying veterinary medicine abroad, learn a bit more about the process from former OzTREKKer and University of Queensland alumni, Reiko Yamazaki-Lai! Reiko reached out to OzTREKK in 2014, interested in pursuing her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Reiko is now a practicing vet in Australia and OzTREKK could not be more proud of her. A big thank you goes out to Reiko for sharing her story, and we hope you can find inspiration if you’re thinking about taking the next steps.

About Dr. Reiko Yamazaki-Lai When I was in high school in Ontario, I was a part of the co-op program which allowed students to work in an area of expertise they were interested in. At 15, I began working at my local veterinary clinic where my interest and drive to become a veterinarian flourished. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Guelph with a BSc in Animal Biology. My veterinary school journey began in 2015, at the University of Queensland in Australia, through their Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program.

Why Australia? People have always asked me, “Why did you go to Australia for vet school?” The real question is, why not? When I didn’t get into OVC (I only applied once) I decided that I would explore my options. At the time, I knew vets who had attended vet school in the Caribbean and I had attended a few seminars about that application process. But I was slowly becoming more interested in what Australia had to offer. Personally, moving far away from home for vet school was enticing; I had always been an independent person with a thirst for adventure and trying new things.

The University of Queensland is the perfect place for someone who doesn’t like being cold. In Queensland, summers are hot and humid (30–45 degrees) and winters can fluctuate between 5 degrees in the morning and 25 degrees during the day. The veterinary school is located in a rural town around an hour inland from Brisbane. This is the perfect place for a veterinary school because you are surrounded by farms and animals. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a kangaroo or wallaby in the early mornings as you drive to school.

(Speaking of driving, it’s a lot easier than you think to drive on the left, or “wrong” side of the road. I remember the first few weeks of driving, I found myself saying, “left, left, left,” to remind myself not to veer onto the right-hand side of the road. As a Canadian, my Ontario license was also immediately transferable to a Queensland one.)

Another question that often comes up is, “What’s the difference between Australia and Canada?” Here are a few differences I discovered upon moving to Australia:

Fruits and vegetables are sold by the kilogram, which initially made me think everything was super expensive!

Tax (GST) is included in the price of everything, so the price on the sticker is the price of the item.

Most people drive manual cars and some of my friends thought it was ridiculous that I only knew how to drive automatic.

How Do You Get Connected With OzTREKK? While I was at Guelph, getting in contact with the people from OzTREKK was easy. A few times a month, they had a booth at the University Centre on-campus. OzTREKK made the application process incredibly simple and stress-free. However, I did do my own research to find out more about the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney and Melbourne University. These three universities are AVMA-accredited, which is incredibly important for those who will move back to North America after graduation.

Which Veterinary School Is Best For You? Now I understand that financially speaking, not everyone has the means to move to another country. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way! When I compared moving to Australia vs. the US or the Caribbean, financially speaking, everything was pretty similar. There are many financial options out there, so make sure that you are proactive and do your research before deciding which place is best for you. Most importantly, ensure that you choose a place that suits your needs, lifestyle and where you can see yourself living for 4+ years.

For me, when I was making my decision to move to Australia, I took a week to decide how badly I wanted to become a veterinarian. Would I be able to take the risk of re-applying to the OVC and not getting in? Or would I be able to adapt to a life in another country, away from friends and family? Ultimately, my decision was based on what I was willing to do to pursue the career I had always wanted. You need to think to yourself, how badly do you want this? Are you willing to make some sacrifices to pursue your dream of becoming a veterinarian? All these important questions you need to ask yourself when deciding if an international veterinary school is right for you.

Program Specifics I spent 5 years at the University of Queensland and graduated in 2019 with my BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science). If you’re worried about being an older student doing this degree, don’t be! This program caters to people from all over the world at different stages of life, all coming together with the common goal of becoming a veterinarian. The university itself also has state of the art facilities and veterinary specialists to match, all which are there to help guide you through the program.

Overall, your first year is spent figuring out how to study efficiently, meeting new people, making friends, and joining extracurriculars. After first year, UQ makes it a priority that vet students do mandatory placement at equine facilities and dairy, beef and sheep farms.

It is essential as a veterinarian to have an appreciation for farmers, and to better understand the dedication it takes to raise their animals. As students, we received quad-bike training, as most farmers herd their animals using quad bikes or on horseback. As someone who grew up in the city, all of this was new to me but I enjoyed every second of it. My favourite placement was the time I spent at a robotic dairy farm, one of the few in the area at the time. These placements are done during your holidays and are a requirement to finish by end of first semester of third year.

Another aspect that makes the University of Queensland slightly different from North American veterinary schools is the oral exams (VIVAs). These are required in third and fifth year. Despite how scary these exams sound, I truly believe that they have made me a better veterinarian. The VIVAs provided me with the ability to rapidly process information about a case and decipher the important information pertinent to the patient.

Extracurriculars Besides travelling around Australia during my holidays, I also strived to be a part of as many clubs as I could. Being able to make veterinary school a positive experience for me and my fellow students was important. I found that being a part of these clubs allowed me to focus on other aspects of veterinary school besides academics. It’s all about balance! Here are a few of my most memorable experiences:

Student member of the UQ Veterinary School Admissions Committee – Being the voice of current students and their experiences in the application process, as well as shaping the application process for future students.

President and Treasurer of the UQ chapter of Vets Beyond Borders (VBB) – Fundraising for the VBB organization and ensuring students have an understanding of what it takes to partake in veterinary field medicine worldwide.

UQ Veterinary School Career and Business workshop coordinator – Coordinating job fairs and workshops for fifth year students as they seek out careers within the veterinary profession.

UQ student representative for VetPrep – Providing fellow students with information about taking the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Examination) and how VetPrep can help.

Clinical Year My final year was the best part of veterinary school because it provided me with the opportunity to put everything I had learned into practice. As a student, fifth year was the first time I was able to work alongside veterinary specialists as colleagues. It was the longest, most tiring, but most fun year of veterinary school. Since I am interested in the avian and exotics specialty, in fifth year I had the opportunity to do placements at the Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne, and at avian and exotics clinics in Brisbane and New Zealand. My other interests lie in field medicine, so as part of my clinical elective I spent 4 weeks in an Aboriginal community in Queensland. There, I participated in a spay and neuter clinic for local animals and provided educational sessions for children from the local elementary school.

Life After Vet School Since graduating in 2019, I made the decision not to move back to Canada. Instead, I decided to remain in Australia, moving from Queensland to New South Wales to join a small animal general practice. The team I work with is an incredibly supportive group of veterinarians and nurses who have become part of my family. At this clinic, we do a lot of general and orthopaedic surgeries, sport medicine, and work alongside local rescue and wildlife groups as well. I have learnt so much these past few months and I continue to do so every day.

This story was originally posted by University of Guelph Future Vets Club