HSE Senior Addie Kaus stood inside Log Cabin Animal Hospital watching closely as the veterinarians performed a leg amputation on a small Pomeranian. This procedure was hard to watch, but for Kaus, this moment confirmed something really important about her future. Through her internship at the clinic, Kaus has been able to see firsthand what life as a veterinarian is really like.
“[That was] my favorite moment here,” Kaus said. “I almost passed out, but it was a really cool experience to have. Not many people can say they’ve seen something like that.”
Addie Kaus, a senior at HSE and a member of the tennis team, has always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. When she discovered HSE’s internship program, she was originally placed at VCR Animal Hospital but later requested to move to Log Cabin Animal Hospital.
Built in 1949, Log Cabin Animal Hospital is the last remaining building in the old Geist area. With its long history and numerous patients, including some of Kaus’s own pets, the clinic is an important place for her to gain hands-on experience. Throughout the internship, Kaus assisted veterinarians by holding animals during blood draws and observing surgeries. This hands-on experience allowed her to better understand the realities and responsibilities of working in veterinary medicine.
Through experiences like these, Kaus has been able to see what the veterinary profession is really like on a daily basis. The internship not only showed her medical procedures but also helped her develop practical skills that are essential for working with animals.
Internships at HSE help students gain real-world experience in the career field they’re interested in while building their resumé and network. HSE students interested in learning more about internship opportunities can contact Mr. May, the internship coordinator, for additional information.
“The [main skill] I’ve improved most is handling animals,” Kaus said. “A lot of the time, you don’t realize you need to read animals. What I learned here is that every animal is different, and they have different traits.”
This internship also helped Kaus make an important decision about her future career path.
“This internship helped solidify what I wanted to do,” Kaus said. “I was on the border of going into human and animal medicine, but this internship helped solidify what I want to do in the future with the real experience I get.”
For Kaus, being able to observe surgeries, assist veterinarians, and interact with animals at the Log Cabin Animal Hospital gave her a clearer understanding of the profession and confirmed that animal medicine was the right path for her.
Kaus encourages other students to take advantage of internship opportunities if they are interested in exploring future careers. After months of observing procedures and working alongside veterinarians, Kaus said the experience gave her confidence about pursuing animal medicine in the future.
“Be brave,” Kaus said. “I had to email Dr. [Erin] Smyth, and it seemed intimidating, but it’s [so] worth it. Just put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid of rejection because it’s going to happen at some point.”
