By Naomi Kruh
Staff Writer
Senior Annie Walsh finds her summer love at Peninsula Center Pet Hospital, where she has dedicated herself to the care of the animals through a veterinary internship.
A family friend informed Walsh that Dr. Peggy Herrera was allowing aspiring veterinarians assist her at the pet hospital. Dr. Herrera serves as mentor to Walsh, who hopes to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
“I immediately called to set up an appointment to meet with Dr. Herrera once I found out about this opportunity,” Walsh said. “I couldn’t pass up this chance.”
Walsh began her internship in August and goes in an average of six hours per week. While there, Walsh shadows Dr. Herrera, stands in on surgeries, cleans cages and takes dogs for walks.
“I love being in the environment with all of the animals and seeing what it is like in an actual veterinary office,” Walsh said.
Walsh first realized that a career as a vet might be for her when her family began fostering kittens while she was in middle school. Walsh learned how to take care of and train the kittens so that they could be adopted later in their life.
“A lot of the cats we took care of had never interacted with people, and our job was to train them so they could be adopted,” Walsh said. “Some of the things I did to help take care of the kittens, such as bottle feeding the newborns, and just taking care of them in general, gave me a little insight into smaller tasks that I would be able to perform as a veterinarian.”
According to Walsh, the most exciting experience she has had while at Peninsula Center Pet Hospital was when she got to watch an orthopedic surgeon perform. W alsh was able to watch and study the surgery on a dog’s ACL.
“It was pretty amazing getting to watch the surgery,” Walsh said. “It is different than what you would think it would be like when seeing it in person. The doctor performing the surgery was explaining everything he was doing, which helped me learn a lot more.”
In college Walsh would like to major in pre-vet or medicine. She hopes to attend a school with a strong vet program, such as the University of California Davis.
“I think that I would prefer working with more exotic animals when I am older, Walsh said. “However, I have found that interning at the pet hospital is a good way to get experience with smaller, more domestic animals.”
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