My name is Lexi Durling, and I am a senior at Flowery Branch High School. This is my second year of being in the Honors Mentorship program, and arguably my best. I mentored this year at the Hall County Animal Shelter, somewhere Iv'e been volunteering regularly for about three years now. My mentor is Dr. Meghan Seabolt DVM and the three veterinary technicians at the shelter.
On a daily basis, I helped the technicians with intake exams, taking blood, giving vaccines, running tests, cleaning, doing paperwork, giving medications, and other things. I have also learned different things from Dr. Seabolt about veterinary medicine and about animal behavior. On school vacation days, I go in early, around 10 A.M., and watch surgeries which are usually spays and neuters with the occasional other type of surgery. Being able to watch so many spays and neuters has given a basis understanding of this staple surgery. I have learned so much from my experience. Not only have I learned everyday veterinary tasks such as giving vaccines and taking blood, I have learned about different diseases and techniques. One of the most interesting things I have learned is how a cat's body works by studying a necropsy of a recently deceased cat (for clarification, the cat had been feral and euthanized for aggression.) I have also learned that I love the veterinary field and that I can use that love to help others in the future, including shelter animals. All of the experience I have gained from my mentorship will help to become a more knowledgable and passionate college and veterinary student. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have had to learn and for the wonderful people who have helped me along the way. |