October 9, 2015 Field-site Visit with field notes

 

Above is a picture of the employees of Durant Animal Hospital during their open house at their new hospital location (built down the hill from the old hospital).  This picture shows the staff present during the open house and was printed with permission from 
Dr. Boyd Mills.

 

It has definitely been a long first day at Durant Animal Hospital as you can clearly see from my posted field notes.  After my arrival home, I sat down and went over my chicken scratch field notes taken during my field research.  I sat down and compiled these typed field notes expressing what I observed and how I thought or felt about what I observed.

I really observed a lot today as seen in the evidence of my 7 pages of field notes.  I had different and mixed feeling when observing some of the procedures or clients with their animals.

I heard a lot of terminology used by the staff of the hospital, some I knew and some of the terms I did not know.  I would ask what they were talking about and the staff was wonderful and patient with me in their explanations.  While observing some of the procedures, I would also ask them to explain to me the steps they were taking and why to better understand the procedure. Their communication and explanations with me were great.  They all have awesome patience and are very willing to take the time to help someone who is willing to learn and shows interest in this field.

I was able to witness surgical procedures, standing right next to the operating table.  This was really neat. Being a pre-vet student at Texas A & M - Commerce, I always wondered if I would be able to handle the sight, smell, and sound of a surgical procedure.  Today I was able to answer that huge questions and the answer is, "YES!"  I would have hated to put in so much time as a pre-vet student to only discover that I would not be able to stomach the sight, smell, or sound of surgery.  I stood there just like a trooper and never once questioned by presence there, have an upset stomach, or had to turn away.  It was really cool.  With this question answered, I know that I can now continue on with my studies which is one huge worry off of my shoulders.  I would definitely recommend anyone interested in becoming a vet to try to observe a vet in action before going to school to answer this and any other questions for themselves.  I am so thankful that my English 1302 project allowed me this opportunity to observe a veterinarian in action.

With my research today, I am able to better understand the literacy that takes place at an animal hospital and how to use this literacy to my advantage when I do become a vet.  Literacy is a very important part of the communication that takes place at a field site like Durant Animal Hospital.  Spoken and unspoken language was witnessed with the employees and the animals in their care.  Sometimes an authoritative voice was needed with an animal to aide in the control of the animal and sometimes a soft and soothing voice was needed for comfort.  At times, an expert’s touch was needed in controlling an animal while at other times a touch of empathy was needed to sooth. One must be able to turn on or off their sense of smell as there can be some very overwhelming scents that an animal can omit.  You must also be able to handle some very loud noises as these animals can become very loud at times.
  

Understanding how an animal acts or communicates with their voice or through their body language is also important.  By understanding these forms of communication, you can aide in their comfort, what medical procedure to perform, or in their safety or even your own.