The field of veterinary medicine is known to be a small world where paths often cross in the most unexpected ways. For veterinarian Dr. Addison and Ross vet student Lauren Buckhout, the saying couldn’t be more true.
In early July of 2024, VetEvolve team members Dr. Renee Addison, Dr. Vanessa Mitchell, and LVT Ashley Anderson traveled to St. Kitts in the Caribbean to work at a community outreach event where they provided veterinary care for pets in need on the island alongside Ross students and faculty. Vet student Lauren Buckhout was assigned to work with Ross alumna Dr. Addison at her station, which sparked a unique connection.
After a busy but successful day of treating many animals in need, the two got to talking. They realized Lauren is from the same small town where Dr. Addison practices small animal emergency medicine at Veterinary Emergency Services in Verona, Virginia. This chance meeting led to an exciting opportunity—an unofficial externship where Lauren would shadow and learn from Dr. Addison while on school breaks.
In her own words, Lauren shares how this externship has shaped her journey as a future veterinarian:
“Shadowing Dr. Addison has been an invaluable expansion of my education, allowing me to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real clinical cases. I’ve had the chance to think critically, challenge myself, and gain confidence in my skills. Together we saw and discussed heart disease, toxicities, saddle thrombus, acid-base disorders, foreign bodies, blood transfusions, and more. With Dr. Addison, I scrubbed into surgery for the first time when she performed a splenectomy. I learned how to unblock and manage a cat with azotemia and assisted in neutering a kitten. I learned the importance of taking three views for abdominal radiographs, and when the time came to study this in my diagnostic imaging course, I could apply what we had discussed.
We saw a case of a German Shepherd puppy with hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) and discussed the clinical signs, radiographic presentation, and treatment, which included intensive care in the hospital. When I began the next semester, this condition came up in a pathology course, and I was able to answer many test questions by drawing on my clinical experience.
Dr. Addison is a fantastic mentor who has always treated me with the respect of a colleague, challenged me in ways that have inspired my growth, and encouraged my curiosity without fear of judgment. She has gone above and beyond to provide me with various resources and support that I will continue to draw upon as I continue my education. The VES team, VetEvolve, and Dr. Addison have been very welcoming and patient with me as I learn the ropes, and I look forward to working together more in the future. I would recommend an externship with the VES and VetEvolve team to any student looking for a down-to-earth and education-filled experience!”
Lauren’s experience highlights the power of mentorship and hands-on learning in veterinary medicine. At VetEvolve, we believe in fostering meaningful connections between veterinarians and future professionals, helping to shape the next generation of skilled and compassionate veterinary caregivers. Stories like Lauren’s reinforce the value of real-world experiences and the lifelong impact of a great mentor.
