If Wishes Were Horses : The Education of a Veterinarian

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Summary: A discouraging story of the journey to becoming a vet.
Review: A friend gave me this book to read since I am a veterinary student; thinking that I would just love the book. I was so excited to begin reading the first book I had ever seen about our journey to become veterinarians. However, the tone of the book is set very early in the novel; one of frustration, grief and saddness. I feel this is a horrible way to describe the struggle of becoming a veterinarian. Sure we spend hours memorizing facts, but it is at the same time invigorating. I feel that anyone interested in being a vet should realize that the life described in this novel is not how the average student feels. Our journey to becoming veterianrians is extremely hard, and filled with moral, heart-wrenching decisions, but it is what we love. It is our desire to help, to make a difference; our love for animals. Ms.Gage forgot to put in the happy times while dramtically over stressing her overwhelming amount of fears of failures. It is too bad she did this; the book could have been a wonderful, insightful story instead of a depressing tale that leaves you wondering why anyone would ever become a veterinarian.

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Summary: a source of great inspiration for mature students
Review: as a 40-plus student hoping to gain entry into veterinary medicine, this book has provided great inspiration. I hope I won't encounter the same problems that the author did but if I do then I shall be better prepared after reading this book.

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Summary: A must read for future vets
Review: As a student getting ready to apply to vet school, I was moved by the author's account of what the next 4 years of my life will be. She tells students what they need to know, and includes moving text as to why anyone would actually want a job that can be so heart breaking-order this book now!

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Summary: Wonderful story-- and true!
Review: I loved this book! It doesn't try to skim over the tough parts of vet school or the ethical, financial, and professional conflicts both in school and after one becomes a practicing vet. I believe in animal rights, and I find some of the things in this book horrific, but they do not detract from this story... they give it more of a ring of truth.
If you are really sqeamish, I wouldn't recommend this book, but otherwise, especially if you are/will be/would like to be a veterinarian!

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Summary: It's just not this awful!
Review: I read this book before starting veterinary school and it terrified me with its accounts of sleepless nights, failed relationships, nonsensical classes and cruel professors. Now that I'm in vet school, I wish I'd never read this book before starting!

This may have been an accurate portrayal of how vet school was for her, but I don't think it's an accurate portrayal of how it is for most people. She's right about financial stress, having huge amounts of info thrown at you, and having to study a whole lot and give up a lot of your social life. But my profs are by and large friendly, I don't study every free minute, and half my class is married, engaged, or partnered, including me! I still find time for the important people in my life and most of us generally get a reasonable amount of sleep!

She emphasizes the negatives and leaves out the positives. I think vet school have changed since her day, at least the one I'm at. And the veterinary profession is changing too. So -- don't assume that your experience will be like hers.

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Summary: A wonderful book! One to keep and read again and again.
Review: If you have ever been faced with adversity when trying to acheive your dream, this book will lift your spirits and show you that you are not alone, and that it can be done. For every person who wants to be a vet but was told, "It's too hard, too expensive, you're not smart enough, vets don't make enough money, etc.", this is the book for you. Maybe the reviewer who didn't like this book never had to face ridicule, ignorance or discouragement, but thank God for Loretta Gage! Because of her story, this old coot (I'm 34) is going to veterinary school! Thanks again, Dr Gage. Please bring on the sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story-- and true!
Review: There is so much to this little book. I laughed, I cried, I squirmed, I was inspired. Loretta Gage tells the truth about what a student must go through in order to become a vet - especially what is involved in learning to work with living animals. These are things most of us don't think about when we consider our vets' educations. I have a new respect for both my large and small animal vets from having read this book, and I recommend it to friends who are considering this profession. This book also shows that the only real obstacles to changing course in midstream are the ones we put there ourselves.

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Summary: I Loved This Book!
Review: There is so much to this little book. I laughed, I cried, I squirmed, I was inspired. Loretta Gage tells the truth about what a student must go through in order to become a vet - especially what is involved in learning to work with living animals. These are things most of us don't think about when we consider our vets' educations. I have a new respect for both my large and small animal vets from having read this book, and I recommend it to friends who are considering this profession. This book also shows that the only real obstacles to changing course in midstream are the ones we put there ourselves.