Whereas each good veterinary scholar learns the fundamentals for canines, cats, horses, and cows, there are often few (if any) programs particularly targeted on aquatic animals. Since earlier than I can keep in mind, all I’ve needed to do is examine and work with the animals that decision the ocean their house. Subsequently, as somebody who intends to pursue a profession in aquatics, I’m continuously trying to find new studying alternatives to increase my understanding of aquatic drugs. As I scoured the web searching for assets, I spotted, there actually aren’t very many locations to look. Certain, there are textbooks and journal articles, and the occasional quick summer season course (shout out to AQUAVET which is an unbelievable summer season program
sponsored by Cornell), however manuscripts are sometimes dense, and programs will be fairly costly. I’m lucky that Cornell gives a number of programs in aquatic animal well being—particularly Fish Well being Administration and Anatomy and Histology of Fish—however these programs solely touched the floor of all that there’s to be taught. They cowl subjects comparable to widespread illnesses in fish and marine mammals, learn how to correctly monitor water high quality in an aquarium, and learn how to carry out a fish necropsy. Whereas these are vital classes for a profession in aquatics, I needed to be taught past the scope of those programs.
Primarily based off this want to deepen my very own information of aquatic drugs together with plenty of encouragement from some unbelievable Cornell college members, particularly Dr. Rod Getchell and Dr. Jorge Colon, Aquadocs was shaped. Aquadocs is the #1 podcast targeted on aquatic drugs and is a prime 50 life sciences podcast. On every episode, I interview veterinarians and different aquatic animal well being professionals about their careers within the discipline, what analysis they’re engaged on, and conservation initiatives they’re concerned with. My company additionally share plenty of recommendation and steering for aspiring college students thinking about pursuing the sector of aquatic drugs. A few of the most vital recommendation I’ve obtained is that there is no such thing as a one proper path to success on this discipline, and that having a powerful help community and mentorship is vital.
I publish new episodes each Tuesday. Listed here are a few of my favourite episodes I recorded (hyperlinks in episode title):
Child Beluga: How do you put together for a child beluga? Tune in as Dr. Chelsea Anderson, Georgia Aquarium Affiliate Veterinarian, describes her expertise working with beluga whale Whisper and calf Shila born in Could 2020.
The Astronaut Vet: Dr. Rick Linnehan, the primary veterinarian in house, discusses what it’s wish to be a NASA astronaut, and describes his journey from being a veterinarian for the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program to being amongst the celebs (actually).
Stethoscopes for Dolphins: What does a dolphin’s coronary heart sound like? And how are you going to use a stethoscope within the water to listen to it? Pay attention as Dr. Barb Linnehan, Deputy Director of Medication on the Nationwide Marine Mammal Basis, discusses her latest analysis article about bottlenose dolphin coronary heart well being.
Manatee Medication: Each good vet scholar is aware of about cows… However what about SEA COWS? Tune on this week as we discuss to Dr. Mike Walsh, a Veterinarian on the College of Florida, about Manatee well being assessments. Yearly, he and his colleagues go to Manatee breeding grounds to watch these populations and make sure the animals are in good well being.
By internet hosting and producing this podcast, I hope to show listeners about aquatic animal well being and encourage individuals around the globe to care extra about animals and the environments they stay in. I would like this podcast to be a useful resource for anybody who’s thinking about studying about aquatics and a spot the place individuals can come collectively to attach with others passionate a couple of comparable facet of veterinary drugs. Creating Aquadocs has been an unbelievable journey up to now, and I do know it’s going to proceed to develop for years to come back!
In case you are thinking about studying extra about Aquadocs, please try the episodes, which can be found in your favourite podcast streaming companies (Apple, Spotify, Google) and at www.aquadocspodcast.com. I additionally put up loads of pictures and recommendation for vet college students on Instagram, so please comply with us on Instagram and fb @aquadocspodcast.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michelle Greenfield, class of 2023, is the producer and host of Aquadocs, the #1 podcast on aquatic drugs and a prime 50 life sciences podcast. She has a level in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton College. Michelle has interned and volunteered at a variety of organizations together with the US Navy’s Marine Mammal Program and Sarasota Dolphin Analysis Program, Dolphin’s Plus, Hubbs SeaWorld Analysis Institute, and SANCCOB. Her analysis pursuits deal with bottlenose dolphin social conduct in addition to regenerative drugs in horses and marine mammals.