Shadow a Veterinarian Mentorship Program

The AAEP Student Program and the AAEP Foundation have created the Shadow a Veterinarian program for students of all ages interested in pursuing a career in equine veterinary medicine. Participating AAEP member veterinarians serve in a mentor-like capacity providing students with diverse experiences, such as riding along for farm calls or spending a day in the clinic. The veterinarian and student determine the duration of their mentorship. AAEP members interested in becoming a mentor, click on the “Become a Mentor” link below. Students interested in finding a mentor, click on the “Search for a Mentor” link below. To receive a “Becoming an Equine Practitioner” brochure, please contact Mandy Roberts, student programs coordinator, at mroberts@aaep.org.

• A mentor has the opportunity to interact in a very personal and positive way in the career choices of today’s veterinary students and the issue they confront.
• Most of us can remember an individual who provided guidance to us and we respected and admired. They shaped our career choices during such formative years, and many of today’s students do not have such positive role models.
• You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with some of our best and brightest future young veterinary students and develop a relationship with them.

What is a mentor?

Webster’s dictionary defines a mentor as, “a wise advisor or a teacher or coach.” A mentor is someone who takes a personal interest in another

• The positive influence of one individual, as a mentor or role model, is very significant in terms of career choice, direction and success.
• For veterinarians, that influential individual is often the local practitioner, externship provider or first employee.

What can you do?

Become part of the Shadow a Veterinarian mentor network for aspiring veterinary students.

This may involve:

• Providing advice
• Being a good listener
• Teaching a specific skill
• Visiting schools, clubs, etc. to spread the word
• Introducing students to your community and ways of veterinary life

Mentors might be expected to:

• Commit to being called or e-mailed by students and be open to being visited by them.
• Students should feel free to call when they need further information regarding a class project or related point of study.
• Consider being a source of summer jobs and possibly participating in the AAEP Avenues Internship/Externship program.
• No mentor should have more students than they can comfortably help, and while it would be ideal if the student’s home were close by, distance is by no means a limiting factor.

Students can search the database and select AAEP member veterinarians that provide the type of opportunities they are interested in exploring. Students will contact you directly.

Mentor Prerequisites:

• A love of your profession
• A concern for the future of equine veterinary medicine
• A desire to make a difference
• An urge to be pro-active
• Motivation to inspire and guide others

The Rewards:

• Helping to ensure a bright future for our profession
• Knowing that you are making a positive difference
• Furthering your area of interest within the profession
• Forging of life-long mentoring relationship
• Recruiting a possible future associate and/or professional partner

To become a mentor, click here.