I hadn't expected to need so much patience during my internship. I had at first figured that I would stay in the back and work with the animals the entire time as I have when I would volunteer. Animals are easier to deal with than files and medications but I was wrong in this matter. Some of my duties tackled putting people on hold, making appointments, and dealing with unhappy clients. This was a first for me and it was very nerve wracking. Patience was a major skill used during my time.

 

Daily duties left me busy as well. During the slow morning I did stay in the back where I helped feed the animals, walk the dogs, wash dishes, clean cages and littler boxes along with refilling them, and lastly washing towels and surgery scrubs. This left me busy and I was amazed at how much my mentors had to deal with a day and this was without my help. She was usually alone in the back and on top of doing what is listed above she helped the vet tecs at times as well. Later when I was needed in the front I would help switch files to the computers, which was very new for me. I had filed away things before but working with the new technology was new for me. I would deal with phones later but mostly putting people on hold, at times I’d clean rooms bfore a client came in or I’d help take food out to them. I’d even wash some of the animals and when they were ready for pick up I’d take their pets out to them.

 

I learned a lot this past summer. I learned patience, technology, and had to book appointments, and most of all customer service. Of course I learned more than that however that was all previous years. I’ve learned how to handle animals, wash and groom them, among other various ways to deal with animals.

 

I faced a couple of obstacles well interning. One of them was dealing with shy and hyper animals alike. Getting them in and out of cages was difficult. Shy animals I had to be weary of in case they wanted to bite and hyper animals wanted to run down the kennels to the door, causing an uproar among the other animals. Getting them back in their cages was difficult as well, the shy animals because of their risk of biting and the hyper animals because they refused to get back in the cage.

 

I was expecting to deal with the animals more than the people so I was surprised with how much time I had spent in the front rather than the back as I had before. It wasn’t an unpleasant experience although I’m a shy person so dealing with clients face to face was a bit nerve wracking but I had learned so much from my experience now. It was a fun experience but if anything I think I’d rather work with the animals more.

 

Preview of  a short Journal entry:

 

July 23, 2013

 

There are only a few days left of internship and soon enough school will start. I can't help but think everything is going by too fast. I'll be a senior, i'll start my first college class, i'll be 18, and soon I will be graduating. I can't help but feel I am not yet ready. I almost want to be one of the animals here. Not have to worry about school and the future. 

Well enough about that, today was a slow day both in the front and back. We didn't have that many animals today although we had a couple of baths so that took up some time and not many clients cam in either so I was left with washing towels and scrubs and ading files to the computer but that was the extent of my work load. It was okay I suppose but I much rather keep busy instead at least than the time passes. I get along with everyone here though, most have known me since I was six so I've grown up with a lot of them. We're able to talk so that helps pass the time as well. Cory kept me interested with his Walking Dead Therioes and we were able to talk about a few comics and art. Rosa took my mom and I out for lunch as well and no matter the weather war wonton is always the best. 

Tomorrows another day I supose. I believe it's supposed to be much busier as well so the days should pass quickly. To the future...

 

 

Internship Documented Hours Time Sheet, total hours: 140

 

 

Internship Papers