The Academic Veterinarian Podcast The Academic Veterinarian

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/
 
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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