Well, I didn't exactly feel like a shadow

I am thoroughly exhausted.

But thoroughly happy.

And full of tales to tell!

With college looming, my parents have been questioning me as to what I wanted to do in college, and to be honest, I really didn't know. I wanted to do something with herbs, animals, medicine, or all three! I had a small thought of wanting to go for a degree in veterinary medicine, but wasn't sure if my parents wanted me to go for something as big as that. So I prayed about it, and thought about it. And then went to my parents and reversed the question.

What did THEY want to see me do?

My dad wasn't in the room when I asked my mom this. Mom thought for a few moments and hinted that maybe something in the vet field would be a good choice. I was good with that answer! ;) Along came dad, whom I fired the question at next. He too, thought about it and then told me that he thought perhaps doing something in the vet field would fit the bill! :D God is so amazing how he can give three people the same thought....

With my parents permission, I then e-mailed a vet who lived about an hour away (don't ask me why I didn't do it closer, I don't know) and asked if I could shadow her for a day, to see if this truly was something I wanted to pursue. So today, dear daddy drove me aaalll the way up to where the clinic was.

Now that I am home from shadowing, I think I can say that 'The vet field is where I want to be!' First I want to bust a myth. They may call it "job shadowing", but you don't feel very much like a shadow. You really feel more like someone who is in the way 80% of the time. ;) But all the people there were really nice and it didn't take long for me to be comfortable.

While I didn't get to do very many "hands-on" things, I learned a ton by watching. I got to watch two x-rays performed, and ultra-sound, three surgeries, 8 puppies have their dew claws be removed (it was pitiful to listen to the pups cry!), work with dry ice and do a lot with the microscope. Did I mention that I was on my feet all day? Comfier shoes next time...

I'm thinking that I would probably get a degree as a veterinary technician, rather than a full-blown vet, just because it would be less time (in college that is), less money and the job is a little easier. A vet tech, is basically a nurse; you don't diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery or anything big, but instead you would help the vet perform all those things. But we'll see where the Lord leads....

It's been a good day....

~Caitlyn