2nd Day of Work!

Today was my second day of work, and once again it was awesome! Today I was a little more independent, and was expected to do a lot on my own, which meant figuring out a lot of stuff. That means there were mistakes made...including stabbing myself with a syringe...but luckily no (real) damage was done, and the atmosphere is casual enough that everything still went smoothly. I actually got to hold some animals for medical procedures, send samples to a testing lab, and do my other duties like cleaning and feeding. I am EXHAUSTED now, but it was a fun day. I'll be back at work on Tuesday!

First Day of Work = SUCCESS!

So today was my first day working at Potomac Valley Veterinary Hospital and it was AMAZING! I had so much fun and the girls I worked with were really friendly and it was a nice, casual atmosphere. I worked mainly with cats, because the hospital works closely with 4 Paws, which is a cat rescue, so most of the cats we have are up for adoption and are just in our care. I had to clean a lot of cages, wash food bowls and litter boxes, fed the animals, and cuddled with them all. I did the "dirty" work, I guess you could say. But I loved every second of it! I also worked with an adorable dog named Toby, who was hit by a car. It was sad, but I felt good that I could help take care of him. I also did housekeeping stuff, like vacuuming, taking out the trash, and washing dishes, but every second I was there, I was enjoying myself - and that was 5 hours! I was told I will allso be helping with medical procedures (as much as I can), which will be interesting...and I know I'll learn a lot.

My next day of work is Thursday, and I'm already excited! I'll be updating a lot about my days at work and the cuties I get to work with. I can't wait for Thursday! So glad I got this job. :)

Starting Work on Tuesday!

So yesterday I said that I was starting work this Thursday (tomorrow), but it turns out that I have a conflict at that time, so I called the doctor and he was understanding. Now I'm starting next week, which works perfectly for me. I'll be there around 3:00 and I should be working until about 8:00. I'm so excited to see how my first day goes! :)

I GOT THE JOB!

You are now reading a post by Potomac Valley Veterinary Hospital's newest employee! I'm so excited, and I get to start next Tuesday! Right now, I'm only going to be working 2 days a week...which I think is plenty to start with. It sounds like I'll get a lot of hands-on animal time. The doctor told me to wear jeans and no jewelry and he'll give me scrubs to wear. I'm SO excited to work with the animals and gain more experience! I think it will be awesome. Just wanted to update about that because it's HUGE NEWS! :)

Pretty Exciting Day!

So today was HUGELY productive for me as far as my job hunt goes. If you remember correctly, I had to call Potomac Valley Vet today to talk to the doctor who has an availability for me, AND I had an interview at VCA Veterinary Clinic. Here are the summaries of both:

Interview: WENT GREAT! No job offer was made, because there are no current openings, but he did tell me that he was very impressed with my interview and that he will let me know as soon as something opens. He gave me a tour of the facility and introduced me to the staff, and it just seemed like a really friendly place. I'm definitely happy with the interview, and I'm hopeful that an opportunity will arise!

Phone Call: I called this morning, and the doctor was in an appointment, so I was told that he would call me back. Well, on my walk over to the interview, I got the call...and he offered me the job! He just asked what hours I can work and told me to stop by tomorrow. I was almost speechless! So now I have to figure out how to get there tomorrow to meet him and hopefully everything works out. I'm hoping he's okay with the hours I can work and that it's not too good to be true.

I'M VERY EXCITED THAT I GOT A POTENTIAL JOB! I will update after I stop by the vet tomorrow!

Called the Vet

Remember the email I got a few days ago, saying there was a job opening? Well, I had emailed them back immediately, and then decided to call as well - thinking maybe that would be a more beneficial way to go about it. I called about half an hour ago and the receptionist who answered the phone was very sweet and happy to talk to me. She told me that the manager wasn't in, but told me to call back Monday.

Just thought that was an important bit of information...Can't wait to call back and see what happens!

Another Vet Email

In the midst of my job hunt, I'm also emailing veterinary clinics/small animal parks at home in Leesburg, as possible summer jobs. Yesterday, I sent out a slew of emails to several clinics by my house, and although one of them emailed back saying they will not need help but "will keep my information on file", another vet immediately emailed back asking for my resume and hours I would be available to work. SOUNDS GOOD!

I sent him my resume and told him how free and open my weekly schedule would be, so I'm hoping I hear back from him soon. I was very excited about the quick response and interest in me!

In addition to the several vets I'm looking at, I'm also emailing with the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Maryland, and the Leesburg Animal Park. I think experience with exotic animals would be really beneficial, as well as with dogs and cats.

Anyway, that's my update for the morning! I'll keep this updated as I hear more!

Email from the Vet

Back in November or so, I decided to look for a job around Fairfax by my school where I could start getting some animal experience. I noticed that there was a veterinary clinic across the street from Mason, in a strip mall called University Mall. I decided to email them, as well as some other veterinary clinics in the area, telling them that although I don't have any veterinary experience, I'm really looking for hands-on animal time, and I told them my goals. 


Since then, I've been in contact with the vet at University Mall, and I've scheduled an interview for Monday the 21st. (It was scheduled for last week originally, but I was sick). I'm really excited about the opportunity to be interviewed, but as of right now, the manager has told me there are no current openings...he just wants to interview me in case something opens, and he will also pass on my interview to other local vets. SCORE!


Well, last night I got an email from one of the other vets in Fairfax, saying that there is a job opening and that the manager would like to talk to me. I immediately responded, and I'm hoping I get the chance to talk to him on the phone soon to figure out if I'm right for the job. I'm really excited about that possibility.


Just wanted to update...that's the latest. :)

Overview of my blog

I’ve never written on a blog before, so I’m not really sure how this works. But I’m doing this as a way to keep track and look at the ways I’m working towards my dream job and goal in the future - to be an animal trainer. For those of you who don’t know me, my ultimate dream is to be a killer whale trainer at SeaWorld. Ever since my first trip to SeaWorld, I’ve just thought it would be the coolest job, and it fits right into my interests - I’ve been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. 

I’m a freshman in college now, and I’m really excited about going for my dream. I know some people see it as “far-fetched.” After all, there isn’t an enormous number of killer whale trainers in the world, but doesn’t that make it even cooler? I have inspiration all around me. Every day, I wake up excited to take steps and get closer to my goal. Preparing for my future and hopeful career is really becoming a lifestyle, and it’s already a journey that excites me. 

So, this blog is going to help me keep track of everything I’m doing. I’ll talk about things like job ideas, volunteer opportunities, work outs…really anything that I feel is getting me closer to my dream. I want to be able to look back at it someday and feel proud that I made my dream a reality. Fingers crossed. :)

This is a picture of one of my inspirations - a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando, Shana Groves.