A crash course in animal care

By Janette Neuwahl Tannen [email protected] 08-20-2025

Ava Holloway didn't always know she wanted to become a vet.

But two high school externships working at an animal sanctuary and on farms in Puerto Rico led her to realize how much she enjoyed caring for animals. The chance to work with marine life also attracted her to the University of Miami, where she is a sophomore studying marine biology and ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. She is also minoring in biology.

While Holloway has done labs in her marine biology classes examining shoreline organisms and gotten the chance to interact with marine animals like Aplysia (California sea hares) and beta fish, she wanted some more hands-on experience with animals this summer. So, Holloway reached out to clinics and humane societies near her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. She soon discovered that her family vet, Dr. Deborah Stratton, at Farmer's Veterinary Hospital, was eager to offer her a 300-hour internship, as well as a crash course in veterinary care.

Holloway walked away even more enthusiastic about applying to veterinary school.

"No two days were the same," said Holloway, who is also a Jenkins Scholar and Foote Fellow at the University, supported by the Office of Academic Enhancement. "From observing surgeries like spays and tumor removals to exploring complex topics like intervertebral disc disease, endocrinology, and reviewing treatment plans for everything from spider bites to Cushing's disease, I got to blend textbook knowledge with real-world experience. This internship not only deepened my passion for veterinary medicine but also confirmed my commitment to animal welfare."

Holloway shared more about her internship experience.

What was a typical day like for you at Farmer's Veterinary Hospital?

Ten people work at the clinic, and everyone works closely together. I was able to go into the room with Dr. Stratton for almost every patient she saw, which was mostly cats and dogs. For most patients, she would ask me the differentials (or vital signs) to consider based on the animal's symptoms. For example, if a dog or cat had vomiting or diarrhea, she would ask, "What might cause that?" The internship focused on shadowing the vet, but Dr. Stratton also offered lectures for me twice a week on topics like physical exams, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and applying to vet school. Most of the lecture topics were an introduction to veterinary medicine, and she was very excited to have someone to teach. I was not expecting it to be so comprehensive, but I appreciated it quite a bit.

How does this fit into your broader professional goals?

With just the lectures alone, I've been learning quite a bit, and Dr. Stratton also gave me case studies, where she described symptoms and I had to determine a possible diagnosis. There are lots of things I didn't know before that I know now, and hopefully I can put those to use next summer, when I am hoping to intern at an animal shelter. It's been a great overview and taught me a lot.

Dr. Stratton has also helped give me a lot of tips that will be useful when I apply to vet school and go through the interview process. But the lectures have also helped me learn the basics of animal welfare, or the ability to make sure animals are safe and that they are receiving the proper care a vet should provide.

Any advice for other students looking for an internship?

Don't be afraid to reach out to people. If you think there's no internship for you, keep reaching out.