VetCat Graduation Stories: Cayley Childress
Celebrating our VetCat Journeys: Where They Are Going
For veterinary students at The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, commencement is right around the corner. This special day will be a time to celebrate the hard work and exciting learning opportunities students have taken part in throughout their time in our program. On August 24, our Class of 2023 will graduate and embark on the next steps in their veterinary careers.
Cayley Childress, a veterinary student in her third and final year, has exciting plans influenced by her time at Arizona. After graduation, Cayley will begin an equine medicine internship at Jackpot Veterinary Center in the Tucson area. Having already completed a clinical rotation here, Cayley can start her internship with the confidence that Jackpot is the place for her.
Looking Ahead
Internships are a valuable way to gain hands-on experience under the mentorship of experienced veterinarians. Cayley’s internship will offer her experiences that will help her hone the skills she will call on as an equine veterinarian.
What will your role be at Jackpot?
CC: I will be an equine intern. This will allow me to get a large amount of hands-on clinical experience in a short amount of time while having constant mentorship. This internship is designed to help me gain confidence in general practice as well as in managing emergency cases both in the field and in hospital. Jackpot will also be bringing on an equine surgeon during my time as an intern which will allow us to better serve our community.
Reflecting on her Experiences
At Jackpot, Cayley discovered a renewed interest in equine medicine. Her clinical rotation helped her envision her future as an equine veterinarian. In addition, her experiences on the board for the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) showed her more about her future workplace.
How did your experiences at this clinical site contribute to your decision to work there?
CC: My experience at Jackpot during my clinical rotation contributed heavily to accepting a position with them. I came into this rotation a little burnt out on equine medicine and this clinic renewed my interest and love for this area of veterinary medicine. I connected with the team almost immediately and absolutely loved the facilities and learning environment Jackpot provides. Both equine veterinarians at Jackpot are always open to answering even the smallest questions and are excellent mentors.
How did your experiences at Arizona shape your plans?
CC: My experience at Arizona directly contributed to my desire to work with Dr. Smogor and her team. I was one of the founding officers and served on the board for the student chapter of AAEP at UAZ. During this time, I was able to see firsthand how much value Jackpot Veterinary Center puts into developing the next generation of veterinarians as well as educating clients and the equine community in southern Arizona. Jackpot was always welcoming to students and helped the AAEP club in countless ways from inviting us to CE talks to hosting our first annual dental wet lab.
Advice for Future Veterinarians
Cayley shared some personal insight for future veterinarians to consider. She emphasizes the importance of staying open to new experiences and carefully considering decisions before committing. She hopes that students seek out opportunities to ensure a great fit with their future workplaces.
What advice would you give to a first-year student?
CC: One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to first-year students is to keep an open mind about what the future holds. When I started vet school I never would have imagined myself completing an equine internship. It wasn’t until I was in clinics during my last year that I was able to fully discover what type of position I wanted and what type of practice I wanted to be at. It is completely okay to change your mind during your vet school journey.
With this in mind, I found it crucial not to sign a contract too early. As a veterinary student you will receive dozens of offers from a plethora of different clinics and it is so important to choose a clinic based on your individual needs. A clinic that truly values you as an individual will give you the time you need to be absolutely sure about signing a contract.
What advice would you give to a student considering pursuing an internship?
CC: If you know you want to pursue an internship, I highly recommend planning an externship with your desired clinic as this is your opportunity to make sure it will be a good fit. My internship is a great example of this as it doesn’t meet some of the stereotypes of a typical equine internship because Jackpot molded it to fit my needs. Your ideal clinic and schedule is out there, you just have to go find it.