Erica Jackson
It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I learned so much about surgery, shelter med, Greece, Rhodes, and so much more. During our two weeks, we were able to complete about 150 spays and neuters on stray cats and dogs across the island. Catch and release practices are a great way to gain population control. The first week, volunteers trapped cats, brought them to the animal clinic, and we performed the spay/neuter. After their procedure, volunteers came to pick up the cats and release them in their respective areas. The second week, we were at the municipal dog shelter of Rhodes, which housed over 400 dogs! Here, we learned the true meaning of shelter medicine and working with limited resources for the greater good.
Throughout the externship, I learned how vital it is to be a team player, to have fortitude, and to keep animals at the forefront. I was not close with any of these classmates prior to the trip, so I am proud of my achievement of being a part of such a harmonious group and making meaningful connections with my class.
Dr. Agapis truly lived up to her name by showing us so much love! She showed us many parts of Rhodes and educated us about its history effortlessly. The majority of our days off were filled with historic sightseeing and activities that brought us deeper into Greek history and culture. Her love and knowledge of Rhodes single-handedly made this the once-in-a-lifetime experience that it was.
I am forever grateful for anyone and every part of this journey. I plan to pay it forward.
Raegan Hetrick
Just when I thought that my clinical year couldn’t get any better, I was presented with the opportunity to travel halfway around the world for one of my clinical rotations. In Rhodes, Greece, I met up with 10 of my classmates as we anxiously awaited for the opportunity of a lifetime to begin! By the end of the two weeks, I had become much closer to my peers and gained 10 new friends.
We spent the first week of our rotation performing spays and neuters on stray cats and dogs. I learned how to use a Modified Miller’s knot, improved my suturing skills, and became more comfortable performing surgery independently. By the end of the week, I was able to complete a spay with little assistance from my classmates or any of the fantastic doctors who joined us. Having only performed one spay prior to this rotation, my confidence in the operating room grew immensely. After five days, we had spayed and neutered over 100 cats and dogs!
Our second week was spent at a local animal shelter housing over 400 dogs. We learned about infectious disease control, vaccination protocols, and managing a high-volume shelter. I had little experience in a shelter prior to this and was able to see firsthand what shelter medicine is truly like. I learned what it’s like to work with limited resources and how to improvise when instruments aren’t available. I completed a few dog neuters, one dog spay, an umbilical hernia repair, and was able to collaborate with my classmates on working up a peacock with a wing droop.
When we weren’t working, we spent hours sightseeing and learning about Greek culture. We visited Kallithea Springs (my personal favorite), Lindos, the Palace of Rhodes, and so much more. Dr. Agapis and her mother gave us detailed history lessons of each place we visited, which I loved. We tried so many new foods, spent time in Dr. Agapis’ home village for a barbecue, and took in the natural beauty of Rhodes.
Dr. Agapis and her family are wonderful; they were so kind and truly made Rhodes feel like a second home. Dr. Pavlovsky from the University of Illinois and Dr. Kalonaros, a University of Illinois alumni, were amazing as well. All three doctors were incredible teachers and encouraged us to think like future doctors. I felt so lucky to have not just one but three incredible veterinarians to work with. Additionally, a vet nurse named Christina joined us from Slovakia. She was very helpful when practicing our technical skills and an overall amazing person to be around. I truly cannot recommend this externship enough. It is, without a doubt, the highlight of my clinical year. My advice to anyone who is a little nervous to join is to do it scared! Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to some incredible opportunities.
Gianna Alesia
The Greece trip was everything I could have asked for and more. Being a Greek American, going to Greece for the first time while doing something I love so much was incredibly fulfilling. While a lot of the time is spent doing spays and neuters, there is still time to enjoy the island of Rhodes. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves shelter med.
Find out more about Illinois students’ international experiences.
