VetCat Graduation Stories: Annika He

With graduation approaching this August, our VetCats are poised to embark on their journey as day-one-ready veterinarians. As they prepare to venture into the professional world, their passion, expertise, and commitment to quality animal care will combine to impact the lives of animals and the families that love them. After completing rigorous team-based coursework and applying their knowledge hands-on in clinical rotations, students like Annika He are equipped to embrace their roles in providing veterinary healthcare within their local communities.

Valuable experiences in clinical rotations help students to discover career opportunities as they strengthen their veterinary skillset. Learning from experienced professionals in a team setting aids students in discovering who they can become as professionals. Annika brought her clinical year experience full circle and will begin a small animal rotating internship at the clinical site where she completed her first clinical rotation.

From Clinical Rotation to Internship

Annika began her clinical year at Blue Pearl Scottsdale in August 2022. During her time at this clinical site, Annika worked closely with a skilled mentor veterinarian and developed personally and professionally. She shared,

"I had a wonderful experience at this location. Much guidance for both medicine and career was provided by the on-site veterinarian. I really learned so much about interpreting diagnostic results and medical management for complicated internal medicine patients."

This clinical experience was rich with opportunities for Annika to refine her skills, expand her knowledge, and gain invaluable hands-on experience. Driven by her passion for small animal medicine, Annika secured a small animal rotating internship at Blue Pearl Scottsdale. Her experiences during her clinical rotation introduced her to options for further professional development, which she eagerly pursued.

Advice for Clinical Year Students

Annika continued to advance her skills throughout her clinical year and expand her perspective on her early experiences. She recognizes that there are many possibilities inherent in our distributed clinical model. When asked what advice she would give to other students in their clinical year, she stated,

"My advice for anyone shadowing or doing a rotation is not to be afraid to ask questions or involve yourself in challenging cases."

By taking ownership of her experience, Annika could learn constructively and make the most of her clinical year endeavors. She is prepared to enter the professional world and partner with clients and her team to create the best health outcomes for the animals in her community.