Do YOU Want to be a Veterinarian?

I know a lot of desperate students see places like SGU and Ross as their only shot at becoming a veterinarian, but PLEASE take a lot of time to really consider what you will be signing up for by LEAVING the US. It upsets and angers me when I see people on facebook from these schools bashing how much they hate grenada and how horrible the island is and blah blah blah. It's a packaged deal folks, and if you aren't willing to accept living in someone else's country and culture, then you need to seriously reconsider your goals. This will not be a good fit for you, and you will be miserable the whole time you are there. You will add to the locals' view of students (that we are rich, entitled brats - a sad reality is that a lot of americans that go to grenada act this way). You will not be a good role model for the future. you may not do very well in school. You will be paying a heck of a lot more money to be miserable than you would be if you went to your in-state school (to be honest though, you might be miserable there too because vet school is sneaky like that).

So PLEASE think long and hard about this major life decision you will be making. Are you a patient, laid back, flexible personality? Can you laugh at life's little idiosyncrasies? How do you really feel about leaving everything you've ever known behind? Do you really understand that you will be a guest in someone else's country? Can you live with just the basics? 

You need to want to go to an island school because you want the whole package, and not simply because you're desperate. If desperation is your only motivator, you are in for what will be the very hardest and most miserable years of your life, because vet school itself is quite mentally and emotionally challenging, and then you are adding on moving away from your support system, moving into a new culture and way of life, and out of a very developed first world country.

*This rant prompted by a facebook post from someone saying that going to SGU was the worst decision they have ever made (and not the vet school part), and then bashing the country when people prompted why.

 

Banfield is "Wishing Lucy-Passed a Happy, Healthy Birthday!"

Imagine my surprise and disgust when an email entitled "Wishing Lucy-Passed a Happy, Healthy Birthday!" showed up in my inbox today. Why thank you Banfield, a reminder that my beloved dog is still indeed dead 1 year and 3 months after she passed away is just what I was hoping for today on the 10th of the month. Clearly your system is aware that Lucy is not a living pet, as she has been named Lucy-Passed in your records. Additionally, Lucy's birthday is in June, and that would also be part of your records. This is an unbelievable, hurtful, and tasteless mistake made. 

Update 1/11/15:
Banfield's reply on Facebook...

Nice of them to address the wishy-washy apology to my dead dog. I just want a nice, sincere apology, and maybe an explanation as to how this happened. Regardless of the her "status" in their computer systems, it wasn't even her birthday. And her birthday should have been properly entered into their computer system. If you are going to wish my beautiful girl a happy birthday, at least have the sense to do it on her actual birthday! We shall see how and if they respond to the email I sent as well.