SPVS Minutes

Week 5 – 10/24/06

Speaker: Dr. Pasco (DVM)

Upcoming Events:

-End of quarter potluck

-Horseback riding

-Speakers: UCI research vet, dog trainer

-Dr. Pasco, DVM

All Creatures Care Cottage Veterinary Hospital

1912 Harbor Blvd

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

(949) 642-7151

Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center

21900 Pacific Coast Highway

Huntington Beach, CA 92646

(714) 374-7098

-For volunteering at his veterinary hospital – contact Debbie McGuire at (949) 642-7151

-For volunteering at the wetlands center – contact Star Howard at (714) 374-7098

*Just for the wetlands center, you need to take a 2 hour training class (usually on Wednesday nights) for $20 enabling you to become a licensed wildlife nurse. Need to call in advance to be admitted into the class. Classes are held once every month.

-Working with seals and sea lions only at the Laguna Beach Wildlife Center.

-Dr. Pasco was one of the founders of the Wetlands and Wildlife Center after a large oil spill had greatly affected the wildlife, it has now become one of the largest facilities to practice wildlife medicine.

Dr Pasco’s advice to all pre-vet students:

-Work with a wide variety of animals and gain as much experience with them as possible

-Take psychology classes – this helps you to improve your interaction with other people (most of a vet’s job is taking with the owners)

-If you can’t work as a technician or a technician assistant, volunteer as one to get the same experience

-After becoming a vet, wait 2 years before buying your own practice

-If partnering in a practice, make sure to be an equal owner (not a minority owner because you could easily lose your share of the hospital)

-Volunteer at the Orange County Animal Shelter and/or the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center – these are great places to start!

-Don’t worry about not being able to find a job; there is a high demand in CA

-Take speed reading classes – you will have a lot to read in vet school!

Thank you Dr. Pasco for your advice and volunteering opportunities!