<p>Hi, I'm a college sophomore planning on attending vet school. I really want to be a large animal veterinarian, but I didn't have the opportunity to grow up around horses and the like. I feel like a lot of my peer group grew up on farms, and therefore have the advantage of having more experience and knowledge than I. I am working on getting a job at an equine rescue.</p>
<p>What do you think? Am I at a significant disadvantage because I didn't grow up around this stuff?</p>
<p>Since some of your classmates grew up around large animals, they’re probably more comfortable around them. If a large animal veterinarian is what you want to be, I think that you should probably try to ride along with some large animal veterinarians to see if this is what you really want to do. After I rode along with an equine vet I knew that that was something I was definitely not interested in pursuing further. It’s hard to know for sure that you want to do <em>this</em> or <em>that</em> without getting any experience in that particular area.</p>
<p>I’m a college sophomore in the same situation, and I just want to bump this thread. I am also wondering if anyone is aware of any pre-vet, large animal, or equine summer internships that are residential and do not require experience. Some tips would really be appreciated!!</p>
<p>Volunteer, work, and find opportunities to work with them 
.</p>
<p>Check out any zoos in your area. Most of them have a Children’s Zoo or Petting Zoo there. You can apply to volunteer or intern in those areas. You’ll get a feel for what it’s like to work with these animals and it’ll give you a great idea.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know where you live, but I live in the midwest and it’s surrounded with farms, stables, and the like. It might sound intimidating, but ask if any of these places would like an extra hand working with the animals. I went out one day, and asked 5 different places. Two of them said “YES”. </p>
<p>Just get out there and ask. The worst they can say is “no” .</p>
<p>Also, even though your working with animals, I still recommend looking nice when asking to volunteer/ work/ intern. It made a huge difference with me .</p>