The Academic Veterinarian Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Academic Veterinarian
Educational podcast aimed at pre-college and undergraduate students or anyone considering a career in the field of veterinary and animal science. Special guests share their insights about their field of expertise.
Ed Carlson is a Certified Veterinary Technician and holds a Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in nutrition. Ed is the Director of Veterinary Nursing Education at Vet Bloom and serves as the current president of both NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and the MVTA (Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association). On this episode, Ed shares his journey as a veterinary technician and we discuss how the role of the veterinary technician or nurse has changed over time and the path to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician.
Topics discussed in this episode
00:00- Introduction
1:45 – Veterinary Technician vs Veterinary Nurse vs Veterinary Assistant
7:50- The role of the Veterinary Technician/Nurse and how it’s changed over time.
15:45- Ed shares his journey as a veterinary technician
21:50 – The path to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician or nurse
23:58- Veterinary Technician credentialing terminology by state and the veterinary health care team.
29:54- Veterinary Technician Specialties
40:57- Ed’s current role as Director of Veterinary Nursing education at VetBloom
47:33 – Ed describes the mission of NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and discusses the Veterinary Nurse Initiative.
Resources mentioned in this episode
AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
- Main site - https://www.avma.org/
- AVMA CVTEA Accredited Veterinary Technology Programs
AAVSB (American Association of Veterinary State Boards)
- Main Website - https://www.aavsb.org/
- VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam)
NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America)
- Main Website - https://www.navta.net/
- NAVTA Veterinary Technician Specialties
- Veterinary Nurse Initiative
Ethos Veterinary Health
- Main Website- https://www.ethosvet.com/
VetBloom – Online Veterinary Courses/Continuing Education
- Website - https://vetbloom.com/
Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)
Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
Leslie Blanchette is a teacher and Chair of the Animal Science Department at Bristol County Agricultural High School, located in the state of Massachusetts. Ms. Blanchette shares her path to becoming a vocational education high school teacher and discusses licensure requirements for the profession. We also discuss the rewards of teaching at the high school level, what sets vocational schools apart from more traditional high schools and the challenges a new or experienced teacher may face in this career.
Topics discussed in this episode
0:00- Leslie Blanchette shares her journey to becoming an animal science high school teacher
5:08- Steps to pursuing a teaching career in vocational/agricultural education
10:34- Teaching licensure requirements
19:03- Teaching salary expectations and teacher contracts
21:14- Ms. Blanchette shares how she developed a passion for teaching
22:53- The challenges and rewards of teaching
26:23 – The student experience at Bristol County Agricultural High School
37:11- Information for prospective students
Resources mentioned in this episode
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
https://www.doe.mass.edu/
Vocational and Technical Education Licensure Requirements (Massachusetts)
https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/voctech/
Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/
Overview of the Tests
http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/MA_SG_about_91.asp
Vocational Technical Literacy Skills test
http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/MA091_TestPage.html
Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators
https://www.mava.us/
Bristol County Agricultural High School (Bristol Aggie)
https://bristolaggie.org/
National FFA
https://www.ffa.org/
Dr. Gretchen Delcambre is Director of DVM Admissions at Colorado State University. She shares her journey to becoming a veterinarian and how she found her calling within the veterinary profession. She describes Colorado State’s holistic approach to reviewing DVM applications and what the admissions committee is looking for in standout candidates. We also discuss the top reasons why candidates may be declined admission to the DVM program and how to improve your application when reapplying. Ever wonder what to expect during an MMI (Multiple Mini-Interview)? Have a listen, we discuss that too and much more!
Topics discussed in this episode
0:00- Dr. Delcambre shares her journey to becoming a veterinarian
7:06 – Dr. Delcambre discusses her veterinary school experience and graduate studies.
12:15 – DVM/PhD and other combined programs offered by veterinary schools
15:12- Dr. Delcambre’s role as Director of DVM Admissions at Colorado State University
18:58 – The application process at Colorado State University
25:38 – Animal-related experiences and letters of recommendation
29:16 – The supplemental application at Colorado State University
32:50 – The VMCAS personal essay/statement
34:34- The vet school interview and MMIs (Multiple Mini-Interview)
39:58 – CSU application statistics and residency rules and application timeline
45:52 – Reapplying to vet school and tips on how to improve your chances
49:25 – Top reasons vet school applicants are denied admission
57:07 – Final thoughts
Resources mentioned in this episode
Colorado State University
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- CSU DVM Program
- CSU DVM Application Website
- Email: dvmadmission@colostate.edu
AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges):
- Main site - https://www.aavmc.org/
- Admissions requirements
- What to Know before you apply
- Letters of Recommendation
- VMCAS Application Website
Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)
Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
Dr. Deborah Thomson is Founder and President of One Health Lessons with a mission to inspire every child and adult on the planet to value One Health. Dr. Thomson shares her experience as a primary school teacher before transitioning to a career as a veterinarian. She is also a science policy advisor, an award-winning public speaker and musician. Her One Health lessons have been taught all over the world and are being translated into over 75 languages! One Health Lessons offers opportunities for global citizens and students to become involved through the Internship Program and the Lesson Leader Program.
Topics discussed in this episode
1:05- Dr. Thomson shares her background as
9:25 – Dr. Thomson describes the One Health concept and the vision and mission of One Health Lessons.
12:42 – OneHealthLessons.com
24:44- One Health Lessons Internship Program
27:50 – Dr. Thomson describes the Lesson Leader Program and how to become involved.
31:29 – Dr. Thomson discusses her upcoming book on science communication.
34:09 – Final thoughts.
Resources mentioned in this episode
One Health Lessons with Dr. Deborah Thomson:
Website: http://www.onehealthlessons.com/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDaNyTpLiE-i-YMVutCDTTQ
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahthomsondvm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onehealthlessons/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OneHealthLesson
Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)
Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
From math major to veterinarian! Dr. Jenifer Chatfield shares her career path to becoming a veterinarian, her undergraduate experience and advice on finding and pursuing one’s passion in the field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Jen discusses pursuing veterinary specialties and demystifies the difference between a veterinary internship and residency. We discuss the veterinarian’s role as a public health advocate and the admissions process at the University of Florida.
Topics discussed in this episode
1:15- Dr. Jen shares her path to becoming a veterinarian and her undergraduate experience.
36:38 – Transitioning from vet school to a career in veterinary medicine
42:25 – Dr. Jen shares her path to becoming a Diplomate of two AVMA-Recognized Veterinary Specialties and explains the difference between a veterinary internship and residency.
55:00- A veterinarian’s role in public health.
1:01:05- Dr. Jen describes her role with the University of Florida admissions process and
1:08:17 – Dr. Jen’s final thoughts and her view on veterinary school debt and the veterinary profession.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Dr. Jenifer Chatfield
- Website: https://drjenthevet.com/
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLfk_XRidfkoqnBQRAF9E8g
- Podcasts:
- Chats with the Chatfields: https://www.chatfieldshow.com/
- Vet Candy : https://www.petliferadio.com/vetcandy.html
AVMA’s American Board of Veterinary Specialties
- Website: https://www.avma.org/education/veterinary-specialties
VIRMP – Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program
- Website: https://www.virmp.org/
Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)
Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
Katelyn Cotnoir and Stepfanie George are both veterinary students at the University of Missouri. They share their experiences and insights on applying to vet school and discuss GRE preparation, animal-related experiences, tips on writing the personal essay prompts and how they prepared for the vet school interview. The discussion continues to include their current vet school experience, vet school “survival tips”, and future goals.
Topics discussed in this episode
1:15- Students share their path to a career in veterinary medicine
2:45 – Preparing for vet school during your undergraduate years
6:40- Helpful undergraduate courses for vet school, beyond the required prerequisites
9:17- Student factors that influenced their vet school choice
14:12- GRE preparation
18:29 – Letters of recommendation
22:20- Animal-related experience
26:30- Writing the personal essay questions
33:17- The vet school interview experience and tips for preparing
42:23- The vet school experience and school/life balance
50:01- The MPH (Master’s in Public Health) dual degree program
54:04- Students share their future plans
Resources mentioned in this episode
AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges):
- Main site - https://www.aavmc.org/
- Admissions requirements
- What to Know before you apply
- Letters of Recommendation
ETS GRE Preparation- https://www.ets.org/gre
Magoosh Test Preparation - https://magoosh.com/
The Student Doctor Network - https://www.studentdoctor.net/profession/veterinary/
- The Student Doctor Network Interview Feedback
Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)
Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
Dr. Gillian Fraser is Assistant Professor and Chair of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program at Becker College. She joins me to discuss the components of the veterinary school application, how to be a standout applicant, choosing the right school for you, and using the AAVMC’s Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) to submit your vet school application.
Topics discussed in this episode
1:15- Vet School admissions by the numbers
7:10- Qualifying and standing out as a veterinary school applicant
10:40- Components of the VMCAS application
11:22- What courses should I take: vet school pre-requisites
13:17- What’s a competitive G.P.A.?
14:48 – GRE requirements and preparation
17:48- Keeping track of required animal-related experiences
21:35- Show them the real you: writing your personal essay
23:13- The VMCAS application cycle
25:50- Letters of recommendation (Tip: ask early!)
30:14- Supplemental application materials
32:00- Tips on choosing the right school for you
34:00- The vet school interview
Resources mentioned in this episode
VIN Foundation Vet School Bound:
- Main site- https://vetschoolbound.org/applysmarter/
- Vet School by the numbers: https://vetschoolbound.org/what-are-my-chances-of-getting-into-veterinary-school/
- Choosing a vet school: https://vetschoolbound.org/vet-school-information-maps-videos/
AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges):
- Main site - https://www.aavmc.org/
- Admissions requirements
- What to Know before you apply
- Letters of Recommendation
- AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association):
- Veterinary specialties: https://www.avma.org/education/veterinary-specialties
Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)
Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
Dr. Gillian Fraser is Assistant Professor and Chair of the pre-veterinary medicine program at Becker College. She joins me to discuss her path to becoming a veterinarian, the various opportunities offered by the profession, and how to best prepare for a career in the field.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
2:15- Dr. Fraser shares her path to becoming a veterinarian
4:50- What undergraduate majors to consider before attending veterinary school
6:20- Should I take a “gap year” before applying to veterinary school?
10:50- Not just private practice, career opportunities for veterinarians
18:38- Educational requirements
21:30- The cost of a veterinary education
23:54 – “Show me the money”, salary expectations for an early career veterinarian
25:33- Personal qualities for a successful career as a veterinarian
31:16- Challenges of the veterinary profession
34:50- The rewards of being a veterinarian
39:00- Final tips and advice to prepare for a career as a veterinarian
Resources mentioned in this episode
VIN Foundation Vet School Bound:
- Main site: https://vetschoolbound.org/applysmarter/
- Pre-requisites: https://vetschoolbound.org/what-prerequisites-do-i-need-for-veterinary-school/
- Vet School Cost: https://vetschoolbound.org/how-much-will-my-veterinary-education-cost/
AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges):
Main site: https://www.aavmc.org/
AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Economic Reports and Statistics:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics
Dr. Nuno Carreiro describes the concept and goals of "The Academic Veterinarian" podcast.