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Whereas each good veterinary scholar learns the fundamentals for canines, cats, horses, and cows, there are often few (if any) programs particularly centered on aquatic animals. Since earlier than I can bear in mind, all I’ve needed to do is research and work with the animals that decision the ocean their dwelling. Due to this fact, as somebody who intends to pursue a profession in aquatics, I’m continuously looking for new studying alternatives to increase my understanding of aquatic medication. As I scoured the web on the lookout for assets, I noticed, there truthfully aren’t very many locations to look. Certain, there are textbooks and journal articles, and the occasional brief summer season course (shout out to AQUAVET which is an unimaginable 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 matters reminiscent of frequent ailments in fish and marine mammals, methods to correctly monitor water high quality in an aquarium, and methods to carry out a fish necropsy. Whereas these are essential classes for a profession in aquatics, I needed to be taught past the scope of those programs. 

Based mostly off this want to deepen my very own data of aquatic medication together with plenty of encouragement from some unimaginable Cornell college members, particularly Dr. Rod Getchell and Dr. Jorge Colon, Aquadocs was fashioned. Aquadocs is the #1 podcast centered on aquatic medication 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 subject, what analysis they’re engaged on, and conservation tasks they’re concerned with. My visitors additionally share plenty of recommendation and steering for aspiring college students concerned about pursuing the sphere of aquatic medication. A number of the most essential recommendation I’ve obtained is that there is no such thing as a one proper path to success on this subject, and that having a robust 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 celebrities (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 Drugs on the Nationwide Marine Mammal Basis, discusses her current analysis article about bottlenose dolphin coronary heart well being.  

Manatee Drugs: 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 observe 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 folks all over the world to care extra about animals and the environments they reside in. I would like this podcast to be a useful resource for anybody who’s concerned about studying about aquatics and a spot the place folks can come collectively to attach with others passionate a couple of related facet of veterinary medication. Creating Aquadocs has been an unimaginable journey up to now, and I do know it’ll proceed to develop for years to come back! 

If you’re concerned about studying extra about Aquadocs, please try the episodes, which can be found in your favourite podcast streaming providers (Apple, Spotify, Google) and at www.aquadocspodcast.com. I additionally publish plenty of images 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 medication 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 various 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 give attention to bottlenose dolphin social conduct in addition to regenerative medication in horses and marine mammals.