Internship as a Shelter Health Assistant
- Observed animal behavior and reported any changes or concerns to veterinary staff.
- Restocked and sanitized exam rooms for ample supplies and disease control.
- Assisted veterinarians in examining animals.
- Provided support to veterinary staff by restraining animals during examinations and treatments.
- Maintained cleanliness of exam rooms between appointments.
- Collected fluids from animals for laboratory testing.
- Examined animals for behavioral changes or clinical symptoms indicating illness or injury.
- Sterilized and maintained veterinary care instruments and equipment.
- Assisted doctors and technicians by soothing upset or frightened animals.
- Assisted veterinarians with providing food for sick or injured animals
- Followed precise feeding instructions and schedules for animals under care.
As a Shelter Health Intern, I aided the veterinary technicians and veterinarians with the everyday cases and the daily checkups of each of the dogs and cats that were in the shelter. I was in charge of restocking and sanitizing the exam rooms and x-ray room between each patient. In addition, I was also responsible with supporting the veterinary staff by restraining the patients for things like blood draws and IV fluids. Also, I aided in taking X-rays/helping with placing the animals in certain positions for X-rays. Additionally, part of the internship included assisting the veterinarians and vet technicians with 'checking-in' the cats in the shelter, observing the animals for any behavioral changes or clinical concerns, following any precise feeding instructions and schedules for the shelter animals, etc. With 'checking-in' cats, the different jobs I was able to assist with was taking the weights of the cats, restraining the cats for blood draws and microchip implants, and the administering of vaccines. As I continued to work there, I took on a couple of cases on my own which including checking the animals for clinical symptoms like for kennel cough, obtaining weights, and collecting urine for urinalysis. Furthermore, I was able to provide support for the shelter animals after they were spayed/neutered. The care I provided after the animals were spayed/neutered included clipping of the nails, cleaning of the ears, removing of intubation tubes, and ensuring the safety of the animals.
