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Tanya B., D.V.M., Facility Veterinarian, Acute and Intensive Care Service, Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of Research Services, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health
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1. I chose this career because...
2. My typical workday involves...
3. What I like best/least about my work...
4. My career goals are...
5. When I'm not working, I like to...
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1. I chose this career because...
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Tanya B.
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I chose to become a veterinarian because it allows me to combine my love of animals with my equal passion for science, problem solving and teaching. Unlike many people, my decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine came later in my career, after I graduated from the university. I have always had many diverse interests, and as a result, I had a very difficult time choosing one career path. I was fortunate to get a job working for a research veterinarian at the National Zoo whose passion for his work was contagious. He introduced me to the many options open to veterinarians.
Veterinary medicine is an incredibly diverse and exciting field. We work with numerous species and encounter a wide variety of health problems. I particularly enjoy working in a research setting, and having the chance to contribute to science. Through research discoveries, we can help to improve medical diagnostics and therapies both for pets and people.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Archeological Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Texas
- Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Texas at Austin, Texas
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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2. My typical workday involves...
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Tanya B. performs surgery.
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My typical workday begins with clinical rounds of the animals in ICU and the facility, and a brief meeting with the animal technicians to plan our day.
During my assessment of the sick animals, I:
- Examine them from nose to tail
- Evaluate surgical incisions to make sure they are free of infection and pain
- Review the technician’s notes in the medical records for any changes in the patient’s condition
The rest of the day is dictated by scheduled procedures and surgeries, as well as, unexpected emergency cases.
Additional Roles:
- Advisor - I advise investigators, the majority of whom are human physicians, on the unique anatomy and physiology of the different animal species, and how this impacts their research goals.
- Teacher - I regularly teach training sessions for the animal technicians and caretakers so that they can increase their skills, learn more about the animals, and increase their job satisfaction and care of the animals.
- Researcher - I have several of my own research projects investigating various aspects of animal welfare.
- Speaker – I present my research findings at national meetings.
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