Never Forget Where You Came From: A Look into a City Kid's Rural Medicine Experience

I was born in the big city of Santa Clara, California, located 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, located in the center of Silicon Valley, home to the headquarters of several high-tech companies, Santa Clara University, and the San Francisco 49ers. I moved to the Raleigh/Durham NC area when I was 6 months old, and enjoyed living life in a busy and growing city. I enjoyed it so much, I stayed to finish my undergraduate degree at NC State, as well as continuing to pursue a dual degree program in veterinary medicine and pharmacology. I grew up within 5 miles of a Walmart, 10 miles from 4 major universities, and loved every minute of it. So why, might you ask, would this self proclaimed "city kid" be interested in writing a blog post about large animal veterinary medicine, cows, and my rural medicine experiences? I suppose the pleasure of rural life lies really in the eternally renewed evidence of the determination of the dairymen, farmers, producers and small towns to not only live, but thrive.

Before my enrollment into a veterinary school, I figured I would stay in Chapel Hill, NC, graduate and continue my comfy life within 3 minutes of a grocery store. For 6 years, I worked in an animal clinic, and loved the fast paced turn around of a small animal office. Within a 13 hour shift, I witnessed 3 dental procedures, a spay, 14 wellness appointments + an emergency hit by car. The never ending case load stimulated my love for medicine, for animals and for helping people in what can be their happiest, or sometimes worst moments. 

Amazingly, through several externships in rural areas, I became fascinated by small town life. These are a few memorable lessons from my rural experiences. 

Attica, NY: Population: 10,285. Cows: 100,500.  Cow to People Ratio: 10:1 
It was here I learned the dedication and passion it takes to work side by side with the top producers of milk in NY at Attica Veterinary Associates. The veterinarians I rode with (Shoutout to Dr. Eila Susskind and others!) gave me an new outlook on how successful a dairy rural practice can be and no matter where you hail from, being a part of a small rural community can be an amazing experience. They not only manage emergency DA surgeries, herd health checks, consultations and nutrition, but also salmonella ridden interns. 

Morrison, TN: Population: 619. Cows: 3,687. Cow to People Ratio: 6:1 
Dr. Mandy Willis gave me my first glimpse into the life of a rural practitioner at Middle TN Vet Services. I had never worked a cow in my life before I took a chance and drove 9 hours from downtown Raleigh, NC into what seemed like the middle of nowhere to learn about bovine practice. What I got was so much more than veterinary experience. I spent most of my days in Tennessee working side by side with Dr. Willis on everything from castrations to complicated diagnostic cases. But the medicine, trampling, bruises and escapes from electric fences is not what I found here that solidified my passion for rural practice. It was the community. Dr. Mandy isn't just a veterinarian. She is a volunteer at women's recovery center, a church Sunday school leader, dedicated to her family values and an outstanding mentor to veterinary students. She dedicates her business mission to promoting and preserving animal agriculture as a solo practitioner and practice owner. Since my first visit in 2013, I have returned several times to not only continue learning about large animal practice, but to be welcomed back by a small community of people I call my second family.     

Ironically, rural America has become viewed by a growing number of Americans as having a higher quality of life not because of what it has, but rather because of what it does not have. It is this way of living that has me returning to small rural towns as a continue my studies to become a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. I encourage all veterinary students to take a chance. Find an externship in the middle of nowhere with a mentor who loves rural practice. I won't ever forget where I came from, but I hope to end up somewhere where I can continue to make a difference to as many people and animals as possible. There is something about getting up a 4:30 am to help with a dystocia, sunday nights feeding calves with your host family, diagnosing and treating sick livestock and visiting with producers that gives you a lifelong respect for the sheer dedication they put in every single day to feed the world. 

If any veterinary students are interested in learning more about rural veterinary experiences, join the Academy of Rural Veterinarians. They offer internship stipends, mentorship and amazing look into life of a small town vet!