Shadowing a Vet: Getting Kids Involved at an Early Age

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Job shadowing is one of the best ways to learn if a job or activity is a good fit for you long before you have to get the education or put the work in. Veterinarians work one of the most interesting jobs in society, and are a great resource for education, especially for kids. 

 

If you want your kids to learn more about the natural world and give them a chance to learn hands-on about animal care, there's nothing better than a job shadowing a vet.

 

Here's how to get your kids involved and how to tell if it's the right choice for them!

Why Introducing Children to Veterinarians is Important

Although there are parts of the job that no child needs to see, a lot of what a veterinarian does is incredibly useful for a child to see. From showing how to respectfully hold and work with animals to giving kids a chance to watch medical care that doesn't directly affect people, it helps them learn the importance of caring.

This can be translated to their care for other people or their respect for pets at home, but it gives them a base to spring off of and create a healthier relationship with life beyond themself.

What You Can Expect From This Type of Shadowing

Job shadowing a vet as a child isn't going to include any hands-on work involving the animals unless those are animals the vet has deemed safe. The most your child will do is feed and comfort the pets while learning about shots, cleaning, signs of injuries, and how to treat animals.

 

Veterinarians won't usually show children anything graphic when it comes to animal injury and will be careful to only handle cases that will be okay for your child's age and understanding. 

 

Kids get the chance to feel included, and like they're helping while watching a professional save lives and help make animals feel better. This can help kids who are introverted or who have mild fears of dogs or other pets.

This can also be an awesome way to introduce the concept of shelters and fostering: but be warned, your child may want to bring home an animal if they're at a facility like this!

How to Tell if This is Something Your Kids Would Be Interested In

If you're curious about this, it's important that you think about whether this is something your kid would enjoy and benefit from. Does your kid love animals? Do you want to spark curiosity in them and give them a chance to grow and become more responsible?

 

Talk to your child ahead of time, and help them figure out if this is something they’d enjoy doing. They can always change their mind down the line, but it’s important that it’s something they actually want to do before you sign up for it. 

Children Are Naturally Curious and Have a Hunger to Learn

Young children have an innate curiosity about the world around them because it's all so new and unknown. Giving them a subject to focus that curiosity on through veterinarian shadowing helps them get that energy out while also getting the satisfaction of further information and skills they might not have learned otherwise.

 

If you have a child that keeps asking 'why' or 'How does this work?' then job shadowing could be exactly the stimulation they're seeking.

Compassion for Animals Translates to Compassion With People

If you want to help your child learn to be more compassionate and empathetic towards people, it's important to start by showing them animals. Most agreeable people tend to start out with compassion and social behavior with animals.

Pets like cats are a great way to teach consent since these furry friends are great at making it clear when they don't want to be pet or have any attention paid to them. Job shadowing a vet gives your kid a chance to learn about body language in animals and how to care for something beyond themselves at an early age.

What Guidelines to Lay Ahead of Time

Although every veterinarian will have an onboarding session with your kid, showing them what's acceptable and what isn't, it's still good to have a talk with your child ahead of time to prepare them for this work. Talk to your kid about the importance of being respectful and listening to instructions, but also the importance of setting boundaries.  If they aren't comfortable with taking on a job or petting an animal, they should have the words to make that clear. 

 

Any veterinarian who offers job shadowing to kids will generally have a keen eye for when a child is uncomfortable and will know to change the subject or task, but helping your kid speak for themself is invaluable.

Give Your Children the Chance to Be Excited to Learn!

Building excitement for learning and the world around us can help kids grow up to be curious and eager to get an education. Offer veterinarian job shadowing is something they can take part in: and watch your child flourish!

Kathryn Goodwin is a devoted animal lover and an ardent volunteer at the El Paso Animal Shelter. Her deep passion for animal welfare has led her to dedicate her time and writing efforts to educating others on how they can give back to the animals in their communities.