Alexandra Helfer
Huntington Station,NY
Summary
I am a dedicated veterinary student with a large variety of hands-on experience in animal care and laboratory techniques. As such, I am proficient in multiple veterinary procedures and animal care, with strong analytical thinking and bilingual communication skills. In addition, I enjoy giving back to my community by participating in community outreach programs and conservation efforts.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Student Externship in South Africa
Ecolife Expeditions
03.2024 - 04.2024
- Effectively worked with a team of veterinary students and veterinarians to administer medications, assist in relocations, and assist in semen collection for a variety of native African wildlife.
- Learned about conservation and different sedation techniques from a local veterinarian.
- Assisted in community outreach programs to provide veterinary care in underprivileged areas.
Laboratory Research Assistant
Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, New York
05.2021 - 10.2023
- Assisted in a Haemonchus contortus study and Toxocara canis and cati disinfection study at the Dwight Bowman parasitology lab.
- Helped author "Synergistic effects of using sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and desiccation in surface
inactivation for Toxocara spp." in Experimental Parasitology. - Conducted fieldwork at sheep farms where I collected fecal and pasture samples and performed a physical exam on sheep used in the study.
- Organized plants from pasture samples into different forage groups.
- Assisted in performing fecal flotations and McMaster slides, identifying different fecal parasites, performing fecal counts, and preparing experimental solutions and reagents.
- Trained students, interns, or new employees on proper lab practices and procedures.
Internship Student
Banfield Animal Hospital
Commack, New York
11.2022 - 02.2023
- Assisted veterinarians during examinations and procedures to ensure animal health and comfort.
- Prepared examination rooms by cleaning and organizing equipment for patient visits.
- Shadowed veterinarians during surgery to observe proper surgical techniques.
- Assisted in relaying information to Spanish-speaking patients.
Raptor Program Student Volunteer
Cornell University
2019 - 2022
- Assisted in caring for a variety of raptors by deep cleaning cages, transferring birds around the facility, providing food and water, and monitoring the health of the birds.
- Learned how to handle birds on a falconry gauntlet.
- Brought a red-tailed hawk on a falconry gauntlet to different community events to teach the public about the species.
Student Externship in Peru
Veterinarians Around the World
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Assisted veterinary students and local veterinarians in performing physical exams, vaccinations, and grooming services during community outreach in underprivileged areas.
- Learned different methods of performing low-cost spays in underprivileged areas
- Acted as a translator between the Spanish-speaking locals and veterinarians and the English-speaking student volunteers.
Education
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine
Ross Univeristy School of Veterinary Medicine
St. Kitts And Nevis05-2027
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY05-2022
Skills
- Proficient in Spanish and English
- Proficient in veterinary procedures and animal care
- Proficient in laboratory techniques
- Effective at communicating with a variety of people from different cultures
- Teamwork and collaboration skills
- Analytical and critical thinking skills
- Proficient in computer skills
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Professional
Certification
FAMACHA certification, University of Rhode Island, 2022
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Student Externship in South Africa
Ecolife Expeditions
03.2024 - 04.2024
Internship Student
Banfield Animal Hospital
11.2022 - 02.2023
Laboratory Research Assistant
Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine
05.2021 - 10.2023
Student Externship in Peru
Veterinarians Around the World
06.2019 - 07.2019
Raptor Program Student Volunteer
Cornell University
2019 - 2022
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine
Ross Univeristy School of Veterinary Medicine
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Cornell University