So...I have 6 years experience with small animal practice, am looking at getting a job at the LAR (lab animal research at the vet school), however.....i still would like some experience working with large animals, does anyone have any suggestions, as im having a tough time finding positions.

thanks

3/13/2006 3:54:02 PM

the best suggestion is either a lab that does large animal research or try to get a job on one of the ncsu farms.

3/13/2006 4:32:47 PM

Does the type of large animal matter to you? Do you want general experience or more medically-related?

Any of the farm units would probably need extra students - if you like beef, dairy, or horses. I think the hardest to get "in" with is the equine unit because they require so many volunteer hours before they begin to pay. Or at least, that's what I've heard. I long ago decided vet school wasn't for me, so it's been several years since I've looked into these positions.

Apex Veterinary Hospital normally has students working there as either an internship or co-op. I know they usually have at least 1 student living at the hospital to help with night emergencies and foaling.

3/14/2006 6:56:06 AM

actually, the equine unit no longer requires volunteer hours like they used too... now, we have a set number of employee positions and a set number of volunteers... if someone leaves the equine unit who was getting paid, one of the volunteers (most likely the one thats been there the longest) will be able to get onto payroll... and then someone else can volunteer... unfortunatly, it still is really hard to get to work out there b/c there's a waiting list for volunteers... so if you do decide to volunteer out there, get on the waiting list. like now.

3/14/2006 7:34:57 AM

you could take the beginning equitation PE if you want a little bit of horse experience. it's fun, and you would learn hands-on care. obviously that would only count for "animal experience" versus "veterinary experience," but it would be useful if you actually wanted to learn how to handle a horse. also, you can volunteer at the ncsu large animal hospital, but i got sort of bored there because there are a lot of people/students to do most of the stuff, so you end up standing around a lot. good luck!

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 6:56 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2006 6:56:05 PM

^^i thought it was a combo of both. like, you have to volunteer for a while before they'll let you on payroll, but there are only a certain number of people who can be on payroll..

3/14/2006 7:26:11 PM

hat's off to all you guys who want to be vet. I believe it's actually harder to get into vet school than med school, due to all of the requirements and limited number of vet schools.

3/14/2006 9:43:39 PM

your right. it is easier to get into med school and ppl aren't kidding when they say students drop out of the pre-vet program into the pre-med program.

^^ well yeah, you gotta start volunteering to have any chance to get on payroll and there's always TONS of ppl trying to voluteer then get paid, but you don't have to do a set number of volunteer hours anymore in order to get on payroll

3/14/2006 10:25:21 PM

I don't know if you just want large animal experience or you are trying to be diverse. But pre vet school I worked at an animal research facility and had limited contact with "large animals (or farm animals)." Mostly just sheep and pigs, but it was enough and working in research gives you something that is different from a lot of applicants. But if you really want large animal experience follow around a large animal vet. There are plenty of opportunities out there, you just have to seek them out.

3/14/2006 10:32:38 PM

thanks for the advice everyone. i dont really care if my experience is paid or not (it would be nice...but not necessary) and I actually have an interview for a job at the vet school in research tomorrow, but if that doesnt work out, i'll def. look into the equine unit.

3/14/2006 10:49:12 PM

search the ncsu website for job opportunities at NCSU....there are several postings for postions at the farm units

3/15/2006 1:05:47 AM