NOVA'S VET TECH MONTH STAFF SPOTLIGHT STORY - CHARLOTTE BUTLER
Charlotte Butler, an equine veterinarian’s assistant who is almost a vet tech, is NOVA’s current student spotlight for “Vet Tech Month.” Here, she talks about her love of horses as well as growing and further exploring this gratifying field.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background:
My name is Charlotte Butler, and I am the daughter of a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. As a kid, this meant I moved around a lot and had to find different ways to feel at home in new places. I always found comfort in my animals and pets, which is why I knew at a young age I would go into the veterinary profession.
I graduated high school from Robinson Secondary School in 2020 (COVID year) where I ran varsity cross-country and did track-and-field. Throughout high school, I worked on the farm where I kept my horse and worked off most of the board fees there. After high school, I started right away at NOVA and worked on pursing the Vet Tech degree.
As far as my Veterinary science career, I have only ever worked with horses! While being in the NOVA Vet Tech program, there were many firsts for me! There came the first time I had ever placed a small animal IV catheter, and there was also my first time doing a physical exam on a cat! Being an equine veterinary assistant (almost technician) is one of the most rewarding experiences ever. They are by far my favorite animal to work on.
Horses are beyond forgiving, and it is amazing how much they can trust humans and allow procedures to be done to them. As an equine vet tech, I am responsible for assisting my veterinarian in physical exams, emergency medicine and diagnostics. We have portable x-rays and ultrasounds and fully equipped trucks so that we can bring the Veterinary Clinic to the farm!
What brought you to NOVA?
I have met many people who have gone through the American Veterinary Medical Association accredited “Vet Tech” program at NOVA and have become very successful technicians afterwards. I wanted to follow that path. I plan on completing my associates degree of applied science in Veterinary Technology
What are you studying or plan to study at NOVA?
I plan on completing my associates degree of applied science in Veterinary Technology
Tell Us About Your Experience at NOVA; ie, professors you’ve liked and friends you’ve met
All of the NOVA professors and friends I have met have been amazing! I work most closely with the veterinarians and technicians who teach the tech program, but other teachers outside of the program are wonderful too! The friends I have met have been amazing! My closest friends and I have formed study groups and are leaders in the Vet Tech Club!
What would you tell a student coming to NOVA?
I would tell them to be as involved as possible with all of the clubs and activities! Make lots of friends in your classes because studying in a group is way more fun!
Where do you see yourself after NOVA or what career pursuits are you exploring?
My goal would be to work for a university hospital that specializes in equine medicine and obtain my specialty license in equine nursing.
Original source can be found here
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