Veterinary School Mock Interview

Anonymous Answer

There have been some cases where I did not agree with a policy within the workplace or professional setting. In these situations, I support and respect the decision of the veterinarian and office management. There was a case where the owner was not capable of paying for extensive treatment and requested euthanasia. The doctor in charge of the case handled it with great wisdom. A co-worker ended up adopting the dog. If the animal had been put down, I would not have agreed, but I would have supported the doctor.

Anonymous Answer

I haven't been in a situation like this in my school career since I have been encouraged to challenge what I believe is wrong and make my own decisions. As a professional, however, it is likely that I would be faced with a situation like this. I would do sufficient research into the policy and make sure I knew my rights. I would consult my colleagues and ask for their views and what they would do in my situation. Eventually, I would speak to my supervisor and tell him or her why I disagree with the policy, but I accept that they have more experience, and therefore I would ultimately support his or her decision.

Anonymous Answer

While spending my time volunteering at the animal shelter, I became close to an 11-month-old lab mix that eventually was deemed unadoptable, and the policy is euthanasia in these cases. While I voiced my concerns and tried every alternative, it did not go in my favor. With the chance to speak to the vet, it allowed me to better rest that he knew best.

Anonymous Answer

During my time at the Equestrian Centre, I experienced the euthanizing of sick or injured horses with expensive veterinary bills due to commercial considerations. Although I could not actively change this decision, I opened conversations with employees there about the ethical implications of this and what it meant for animal welfare. I learned that it is not as black and white than I first thought. If the horse's vet bills were too expensive, it meant that they wouldn't be able to afford care for the other horses, and so they were respecting animal welfare. This allowed me to understand how finances can impact veterinary care.

Anonymous Answer

During my time at veterinary clinics, I have come across policies that I did not necessarily agree with. There have been situations in which clients could not afford treatment for their pets and decided to euthanize instead. While it was hard for me to this, I respected the owner's request and looked at it as a learning opportunity about how people are placed in a variety of situations.

Anonymous Answer

The hospital I work for provides the opportunity for clients to pay for their animal's treatment with a monthly payment plan. In few cases, a payment plan is still not an obtainable opportunity due to finances. For example, a pet that was diagnosed with parvo was presented to us. We were able to give them an extensive treatment and payment plan, but they were unable to approve it as they could not pay. This led to the owner's decision to euthanize their pet. Although this was not easy to watch and difficult to understand, I knew the owners decided this for the best interest of their pet. I was able to conform with the owner and veterinarians decision.

Anonymous Answer

I previously worked at a rehabilitation center that had a policy where they put new seabirds on a hydration and feeding schedule. When I was hired to a new center, they did not have this policy in place. I expressed my concern to figure out why they felt a hydration and feeding schedule was not important for new seabirds. My supervisor explained to me they saw no difference in the impact this schedule has on the patients and felt handling the birds was better for the patient to limit stress. I am glad I asked about this policy before conforming because I was able to understand the reasoning behind it and I agree with limiting contact we have with wildlife patients.