Bushnell University senior biology major Annika Poet pursued her passion this fall semester by caring for animals at Creswell Veterinary Hospital. She gained practical experience working with a variety of patients, including her favorite: rabbits.
“I really want to work with rabbits. That’s been a passion of mine for a while, and I have two of my own” Poet shares. “Dr. Sherry here is a very, very good rabbit doctor. She’s referenced in a lot of ways of what to do for different rabbits. It was definitely an, I want to go here to learn more.”
“Being able to ask questions and be part of the exam was really meaningful,” she said. “At a vet clinic, it’s a little hard to be part of what the doctor is doing, but here I’m here to learn. I feel a lot more prepared about working in this field.”
We spoke with Poet to learn more about her internship at Creswell Veterinary Hospital and how it helped her grow as a future veterinarian while gaining technical, professional, and personal insights.
Hands-On Learning and Professional Growth
Poet drew on the foundation she built in Bushnell’s biology program. The internship, though, gave her the chance to gain real-world veterinary skills in ways no classroom could replicate.
“I have gained a lot of hands-on work, working with clients, working with patients,” she said. The experience even extended to technical procedures, including performing blook work, insert catheters, assisting with intubation, monitoring patients under anesthesia, and being involved with surgery.
She also highlighted the support of Bushnell’s Career Development Coordinator Whitney Shoun, M.S., who oversees the internship experience and ensures students stay engaged and on track.
“Whitney has been so involved in our internship,” Poet said. “Every single week she checks in, sends personalized guidance, and makes sure we’re learning and staying on top of deadlines. It’s been really helpful.”
The experience reinforced her desire to pursue advanced studies in veterinary medicine, particularly working with rabbits. “I’m now more interested in rabbits than ever. I’m more committed to pursuing a higher education in veterinary medicine and continuing to work in this field,” she said.
Advice and Favorite Memory
Poet encourages other students to take full advantage of internship opportunities and actively invest in the experience.
“The value of an internship is honestly what you put into it,” she said. “There are a lot of opportunities presented to students, but it’s so personalized. You need to put value in it; otherwise, you’re not going to get out what you think you will.”
Her favorite memory from the internship was seeing the impact of her work on the animals and clients. “One of the things I’m proud of is being able to ask more questions and be part of the exam,” she said. “Seeing what actually goes on throughout the day is a very good reality check for people who think they want to work in veterinary medicine.”
Bushnell shares Poet’s advice for students to fully immerse themselves in internship experiences and see where their passions and skills can grow. To learn more about Bushnell’s biology program and how students gain hands-on experience like Poet, visit bushnell.edu/biology. To explore internships and career development opportunities, visit bushnell.edu/career-development.