Paw Prints & Pencils: Anniversaries and Interviews

Hi! I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since I've posted - I think that's gonna become more of a habit as this semester goes on. The past 2 weeks were pretty busy, no easing back into school after the break but I wouldn't expect anything else from vet school!

We've been doing simulated client interviews this semester, we had some practice before the break but now they are recorded (eek!) and we have to do reflections on them. I've finished my 2 fake appointments and they both went pretty well. It's always awkward because you know it's fake so it doesn't seem natural at first, but I got used to it. I think my past 3+ years of retail experience helped with feeling comfortable talking to strangers. I watched one of them today and didn't find it as weird as I expected, so that's a good sign!

Our practice groups also worked on a Case Based Learning exercise which was a really good experience. We got presented with a case and had to work like clinicians, creating problem lists and treatment and ordering diagnostic tests. We would only get a little bit of info at a time, and at the end of each session we had to go home and research things that we were not familiar with. I learned a ton about esophageal dilation and eventual cancer (our "patient" was a German Shepherd that had those issues) and it really made us all feel like we were working through the case like actual vets. At the end of the week we had to present our findings to a simulated client who was acting like the dog's owner. Overall I'm loving the practical experience so far this semester, as nerve wracking as it may be!

Other than school, Matt and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary (damn!!) by going to Niagara for the weekend. I know this is a vet school blog but I can't just talk about school 24/7 and I really try to balance my life as much as I can. It was a freezing but awesome weekend, complete with Ripley's and wax museums, a night out at Club Seven (we thought it was fitting), a lot of delicious food, a walk around Niagara-on-the-Lake, and overall a much needed weekend away :)

Today Matt brought Daisy back to me! Time to go back to sacrificing my lunch breaks for her, but how could I be mad at that when she snuggles with me in bed all night? It'll also get me back into a better exercise routine to help me shed those extra Christmas pounds ;)

Here are some pics of the things I just talked about, I'm going to go catch up on some work now - too bad 10 pm is too late for coffee!
- Faith and Daisy