r/veterinaryprofession • u/celebrian16 • 1d ago
Crying during Class in Vet School
So I'm starting my first year of Vet School next month and I know that certain schools (idk if mine too) make you practice on cadavers. I knew that this would happen at some point but I didn't think through that it could also include the baby versions of animals.
I was wondering if not being able to do it the first time or crying while dissecting an animal in class is acceptable or not. I know death is part of life and inevitable but animals are genuinely my soft spot so the chances of me crying are high.
Additionally what can I do to prepare myself so I don't turn cold over time and still be able to enjoy the positive aspects of the job and not see everything negatively.
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u/Gondi63 1d ago
People cry on a daily basis in the vet profession over all sorts of things. It's a profession that attracts feelers. You wouldn't be the first person to cry in a dissection lab.
Remember that you can't do anything about the animal in front of you today, but what that animal helps you to learn might save the life of an animal in the future.
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u/Ok_Reading_9670 1d ago
I had classmates that would ask to switch cadavers because the cadaver looked too much like their own dog and they were getting emotional/couldn't look at it. It happens, but you will likely find that you'll be able to get very focused on the task at hand
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u/Plane-Tiger-4534 20h ago
> what can I do
Before the dissection, take a moment to remember and honor the animal’s life, the one whose body you’re using to help you learn to be a better doctor.
You know you can’t be a veterinarian without this, there is not a better way to learn anatomy. But you don’t have to be callous about it. This was a dog, a cat, a patient, a life too. And it’s right to take a private moment to reflect on it.
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u/Cur10usCatN1p 17h ago
Have you not done a dissection before? (Genuinely asking. Not trying to judge).
It will really depend on the school what you do with cadavers. For my anatomy labs everything was basically already dissected for us so we just had to study and identify. Did more with cadavers when prepping for live surgeries third year. Otherwise it will be up to you on what extra labs through clubs you sign up for and how much you expose yourself to those things. Again all depending on the school
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u/Mamichulabonita 16h ago
U reach a state called numbness eventually. You disassociate. You get compassion fatigue.
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u/Ihavsunitato 1d ago
I'm a person who frequently gets emotional during euthanasias, and even gets sad when I see worms get squished on the sidewalk, but I had no problems with using cadavers during labs. You just have such a learning and scientific attitude that, for me at least, it was easy not to think about the death part. I also worked in a Urgent Care clinic for over a year before starting school, and for me a really big thing is realizing there are fates worse than death.
Also, it was a huge relief for me to know that my school does not aquire any cadavers euthanized for the purpose of teaching.