Perspective

Dear COVID-19,

I could have never imagined you would bring so much fear, uncertainty and change in the lives of thousands of people including myself. I was in Asheville doing my last externship when I heard you were spreading in the United States and there was no vaccine against you. In those moments, I started to become scared of you. At the time, I was staying in housing with 17 other veterinary students from around the world. When I came back to Alabama after completing my externship, I thought a vaccine would be developed soon, and everything would be okay again. I never thought you would spread like wildfire throughout the country and things would get worse.

In vet school, I have become familiar with other strains of coronavirus in small animals, large animals and poultry. I have seen how they mainly affected the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of animals, but nothing like you. You have drastically changed the way we live, study and interact with others. I have learned how to practice social distancing, wear masks and gloves to protect myself, and not for surgical purposes like I always do. I have seen how the entire world but especially my veterinary world has adjusted to you. Now, veterinary hospitals offer pick-up and drop-off pet curbside services and telemedicine consults. Veterinary medical teaching hospitals have reduced the number of employees and do not allow veterinary students like me to complete their clinical rotations to protect us from becoming infected. My clinical rotations were switched to online and then were canceled. I have missed my last days in the hospital and new learning opportunities as a senior veterinary student.

You have canceled many things – important things including my graduation commencement. I remember I started my graduation countdown on the first day of my fourth year. I was excited to receive my degree after four years of hard work, stress, a lot of studying, and lack of sleep. It’s unbelievable to see how you have prevented the most important day for many graduates not only veterinary students. It is hard to realize that I won’t get the chance to walk across the stage to receive my DVM degree. I’ve envisioned myself walking onto the stage, seeing all my family happily settled in their seats and feeling proud of myself. Now, I won’t get to celebrate my biggest accomplishment the way I always dreamed to. However, no one will cancel what I have accomplished so far, and I will now be a part of the two virtual veterinary commencements. One of them held by my school and the other by Dr. Andy Roark.

You have shown me that life can be unpredictable. In these tough times, I had to make quick decisions and change plans. I packed my stuff in five days and made the journey back to my family. I took a five-hour flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles. I have never felt so anxious to get on an airplane before, but I prepared myself to avoid getting infected. I wore a mask, gloves, shoe covers and a raincoat. This was not how I expected to move to California, but I did it. I always dreamed that I would leave my home in the South after receiving my DVM degree and start work right away. I also dreamed of the opportunity to take our last group picture as the Tuskegee University Class of 2020 “The Visionaries” with a chance to say goodbye to everyone. I never dreamed of witnessing your impact, the pandemic that changed everything.

You have taught me that sometimes things can turn out in unexpected ways and nothing is for sure. But I must keep going and fighting for my dream of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. I still believe the best is yet to come!

Sincerely,
Maria Estefania

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

Date: May 3rd, 5 pm EST/2 pm PST

Cost: There is no fee to graduates, universities, or guests

Register as a Graduate or Guest at: https://tinyurl.com/2020VetSchoolGrad

Dear Veterinary School Graduates of 2020, 

We are living in an uncertain and challenging time. Our lives and our profession have been flipped upside down for the coming months, and while veterinary medicine will persist as the valuable and rewarding profession we all know, I fear your formal graduation from student to doctor will come and go before we get back to a state of normalcy. As someone who struggled mightily with the rigors of veterinary school, and who felt deep and lasting pride at achieving the title of doctor, I know the importance of recognition for this outstanding accomplishment.

Graduation from student to doctor is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, not just for you but for all those who love and support you. It is a celebration of what you have achieved, and it is closure on a formative chapter of your life. It’s an opportunity to look ahead with enthusiasm and to gather last-minute pearls of wisdom before starting a new adventure. It is a show of gratitude for parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, children and friends who made sacrifices to help you come to this point. Most importantly, it is a time for you to allow yourself to feel genuine pleasure and pride in what you have accomplished.

While events outside of our control may force us into physical isolation, we still have the power to come together socially, consciously and emotionally. We can create a shared experience without being together, and we can accomplish every goal that a graduation ceremony sets out to achieve.

For that reason, I am pleased to invite you, your family, your instructors and your friends to our international College of Veterinary Medicine Virtual Graduation. This event will take place on Sunday, May 3rd at 5 pm EST. There is no fee, and all are welcome. Please invite anyone you wish and share the registration link at the top of this letter with them.

Commencement speakers will include:

Sarah Boston DVM, DVSc, Dipl ACVS, ACVS Founding Fellow of Surgical Oncology – Veterinary surgical oncologist, stand-up comedian, and author of “Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved My Life”

Marie Bucko – Veterinary Student at University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine and National Student AVMA President

Betsy Charles DVM, MA – Executive Director, Veterinary Leadership Institute and Founder/CEO, RadiologyRules

Carolyn Henry DVM, MS, DACVIM-Oncology – Professor of Oncology and Dean of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine

Trusten Moore – Graduating Veterinary Student at Western University College of Veterinary Medicine and Singer/Social Media Personality 

Sarah Montoya – Veterinary Student at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine and 2020 National Veterinary Business Management Association President 

Andy Roark DVM, MS – Veterinarian and Founder of DrAndyRoark.com and the Uncharted Veterinary Community

Graduates, let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your upcoming completion of veterinary school. Even if the future appears uncertain, please know you have much to celebrate and look forward to. I hope to see you on May 3rd.

Sincerely,
     Dr. Andy Roark

Originally “Adopt Don’t Shop” was created to bring attention to all the amazing pets available in shelters and rescues across the nation. The marketing technique was very effective and pet adoptions have continued to rise the past few years, along with the judgment of those who choose to buy from a breeder.  

One of the best parts of my job as a veterinarian is the new pet visit. Owner’s present their new family member with pride for the first exam. While performing a thorough exam, I always ask them to share the story of how they found the new addition. It helps me plan out any routine preventatives they need and allows me to connect and be excited with them about the new puppy or kitten.   

Recently though I have noticed a disturbing trend. Owners start speaking in an apologetic tone as they share that they purchased the pet from a breeder. This is often followed by a list of reasons why they chose to go to a breeder over getting a rescue. Or they tell stories of rescue fails that eventually sent them looking for something different. As a veterinarian, I believe the MOST IMPORTANT thing that should matter when you choose a new pet is that is the right pet for YOUR family.  

The implication that a pet is only worthy of a forever home if obtained from a shelter, rescue, or as a stray is misleading. It assumes two inaccurate ideas. One being that all rescue animals will be put to sleep unless YOU go out right now and save one. The second being that all breeders are evil and by purchasing a puppy from them you are supporting their evil, money-generating puppy mill empire.  

Using #adoptdontshop to promote intolerant behavior towards certain pets is aggravating. The guilt is intended to be placed on well-intentioned new pet owners. The perception that you are selfish or just plain immoral if you purchase a dog from a breeder is hurtful to all pets.  

I propose that there is a happy medium. It might not be as catchy, but I wish we could instead say Pick Your Next Pet Responsibly or Do Your Research and Find the Best Pet for You. There are responsible breeders in this world. They test for genetic mutations, breed for good behavior, and do not have too many litters a year. They often enter contracts with new owners stating they will forever be responsible for the puppies and want them back if it does not work out. Their primary concern is the health and wellbeing of their puppies and kittens. They want the RIGHT home and not just any home.  

Over and over I have seen the happiness BOTH rescue and intentionally bred pets have brought to their new owners. All pets need a home. Let us join together to encourage people seeking a new pet to make the best, well-informed decision for their family. That will be the best solution to keep pets in the home forever, no matter where they come from.   

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

I received a random act of kindness that profoundly changed my life. And it happened in one of what is probably the unlikelier places for it: the parking garage of the Philadelphia International Airport. I know my home city’s reputation – perhaps epitomized by the image of Philadelphia Eagles fans throwing snowballs at the guy playing Santa Claus at halftime – and I am somewhat a product of it. Philly is tough, gritty, and as unglamorous as you imagine. The airport parking garage is, well, probably exactly what you expect except maybe a little dirtier.

I was in maybe my last year of veterinary school, walking out of the airport with a bag over my shoulder and I was nearing my car. I saw a family struggling to get their luggage into the car next to mine. I waited for them to sort it out. I waited and waited. And waited. There was probably also some scowling during this time. And three or four crop rotations later when they went to get their last bag into the car, they knocked the bag over into my car, leaving a scratch in the paint. With a heavy sigh and a practiced scowl, I approached the father of the family and pointed out that he’d dinged my car. He turned around, didn’t bother to look at the damage to my car, and said, “I’m sorry, my mistake, will this cover it?” And handed me a $50 bill. I blinked, as his response had left me in such a state of surprise that blinking was about the highest mental function I could muster, and then I proceeded to be very confused. He smiled, “If that won’t, here’s more.” Another $50. “Okay?”

I’m not sure I managed to make any sounds that could be considered words but I might’ve nodded. It’s kind of blurry when your brain’s gears grind like that. “Great,” he said, “I’m sorry about that. Have a blessed day!” And they drove off, leaving me to mentally muddle through the last few minutes’ events. The guy and his family were probably home and had their luggage unpacked by the time I figured out what the daylights had just happened.

In five seconds that guy changed my life. If you’d asked me to rank my expectations for this encounter, his response would’ve been on page 17 several slots down from “Grow giant bat wings and fly away” and “Turn into a clove of garlic.” His kindness threw into sharp relief what an unmitigated jerk I’d been – and not just for the last ten minutes. He showed me that my attitude was just awful. I just stood there, I should’ve offered to help. They were struggling and I didn’t do a thing about it. It would’ve been easy for me to help, I could’ve tossed those bags around like tennis balls, and I just watched. Instead of helping, I stood there and then I picked a fight. Instead of picking a fight, I should’ve just let it go – it’s not like I’d fixed any other dent or scratch on that old car. All the things I should have done better were right in front of me. I hadn’t done anything right, anything to be proud of.

This guy showed me I was quite probably not being a very good person, and he did it with a deft, effortless act of kindness that came as naturally to him as scowling did to me. I imagine it was a long flight, hard travel, bad time in my life, whatever other excuses to behaving as I had, but they were just embarrassing excuses. This random act of kindness didn’t make me feel good, it made me feel awful. Because I was. And I’m incredibly, deeply, profoundly grateful that somebody managed to point it out to me.

The person I was and the person I wanted to be had never been further apart than at that moment, and that guy changed my life by showing me the distance between those two people. I can think of no single moment that motivated me to change my life more powerful than the guy in the parking garage of the Philadelphia International Airport.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William Tancredi is a small animal veterinarian in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he operates Old Ridge Veterinary Services. His pastimes include reading, spending time with his animals, and he’s getting better at being nicer to people in parking garages.