u/Dogandcatlover26

I’m a high school senior in America who wants to visit New Zealand sometime in the future. I mainly want to go for two reasons: it’s in the only continent I haven’t visited yet, and I want to see all of its unique wildlife.
I’ve been watching videos about some of the animals in New Zealand recently, which introduced me to a bunch of animals I had never even heard of before.

I’m also thinking about studying abroad there for a year when I go to college. What exactly would I need to do to study abroad in New Zealand?

One more question, though: do you guys have as big of a spider problem as Australia and our they as big. That’s the only reason I’m not interested in visiting Australia after New Zealand.

If do decide to go where should I go to actually experience New Zealand?

Also is there racism to black people?

*Please don’t be rude and if I made any mistakes correct me in a respectful way

I’m an American who traveled to Europe during my winter break last year, visiting England, Ireland, France, and Norway. I absolutely loved the experience and genuinely want to visit more European countries in the future.

Ireland was my favorite. I loved how active and friendly everyone seemed, and Dublin especially reminded me of the friendliness I’m used to in America. France was my second favorite, which honestly surprised me since I thought it was going to be my number one before I went because I had wanted to visit France since I was a little kid. It was amazing finally seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, although I was disappointed that I couldn’t go inside the Louvre. Climbing the Eiffel Tower was also a lot more exhausting than I expected. By the time I reached the top, I was so hot that I had to take off my winter jacket, even though it was January! The New Year’s fireworks were also incredible.

England was my third favorite. It was really cool seeing Big Ben and the palace in person. I didn’t really understand the obsession with the red phone booths, though. I was surprised to see people actually waiting in line just to take pictures with one. Besides that, I had a lot of fun. I had also heard stereotypes online about English food being bland, so I was a little worried about it. Honestly, I thought it was fine. It wasn’t as heavily seasoned as the food I’m used to, but there’s nothing wrong with not using a lot of seasoning. I just personally prefer food with lots of seasonings. I was also shocked by the size of England. I had never bothered to look at map to see where England is because it didn’t interest me, so I always thought England was as big or even bigger than America and I had no clue it was an Island Nation till I went.

Norway was my least favorite, although I still enjoyed parts of it. I’m not sure if it was because we visited around Christmas or because we stayed in Oslo, but there didn’t seem to be as much to do as I expected. I really enjoyed visiting the Munch Museum, though, and I had no idea that The Scream was created by a Norwegian artist.

Unfortunately, Norway was also where my family and I experienced racism for the first time. While we were walking back to our hotel, people threw things at us and told us to go back to our country. It was a horrible experience and definitely affected how I felt about Norway.

One of my favorite things about the entire trip was the cold weather. I live in Florida, where our seasons basically feel like “hot” and “hotter,” so experiencing a real winter was such a nice change of pace. I also loved being able to walk around and explore cities on foot. I normally wouldn’t want to walk around Florida for long because of how hot it is, but in Europe, walking around was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Overall, I genuinely loved my trip. I want to visit more European countries and return to the ones I’ve already visited, but I’m especially interested in experiencing places outside of the typical tourist attractions. I want to see what everyday life is actually like for locals and experience the culture beyond the famous landmarks.

I’m also starting my first year of college soon, so I’ve been thinking about studying abroad in England, Ireland, or France if I decide to learn French. I’ve even considered going to veterinary school in one of these countries someday. I also technically visited Portugal, although it was only during a layover. We did stop at a café, though, and the French toast I ordered was amazing. I

I do think I accidentally fulfilled one stereotype about Americans, though. While eating pancakes in England, I accidentally knocked all of the syrup onto my food. I still ate it, but I hated how sweet it was. An English family saw the whole thing happen, and I was so embarrassed!

If anyone knows how exactly like study abroad programs work tell me please. I would also like to know how the countries I want to study abroad in college systems work.

I’m a rising high school senior who hopes to become a veterinarian in the future, but I also have a strong passion for art. During my freshman year, I realized that I’m also interested in animation as a career and creative outlet.

I recently learned that most vet schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, as long as applicants complete the necessary prerequisite courses. Because of this, I’ve been considering majoring in Animation during undergrad while also completing my pre-vet requirements.

I was wondering if this would be a realistic path at FIU, especially if I plan my schedule carefully. I also have no formal experience with animation, although I’m a decent self-taught artist. I still have a lot to learn, particularly with areas like shading, perspective, and other art fundamentals, but I’m willing to put in the effort to improve.

Do you think pursuing an Animation major alongside pre-vet prerequisites would be manageable and realistic?

I’m a rising high school senior who hopes to become a veterinarian in the future, but I also have a strong passion for art. During my freshman year, I realized that I’m also interested in animation as a career and creative outlet.

I recently learned that most vet schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, as long as applicants complete the necessary prerequisite courses. Because of this, I’ve been considering majoring in Animation during undergrad while also completing my pre-vet requirements.

I was wondering if this would be a realistic path at FIU, especially if I plan my schedule carefully. I also have no formal experience with animation, although I’m a decent self-taught artist. I still have a lot to learn, particularly with areas like shading, perspective, and other art fundamentals, but I’m willing to put in the effort to improve.

Do you think pursuing an Animation major alongside pre-vet prerequisites would be manageable and realistic?

I don’t mind if it takes 5 years if that is what I need to do to not burn out.

I’m a rising high school senior who hopes to become a veterinarian in the future, but I also have a strong passion for art. During my freshman year, I realized that I’m also interested in animation as a career and creative outlet.

I recently learned that most vet schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, as long as applicants complete the necessary prerequisite courses. Because of this, I’ve been considering majoring in Animation during undergrad while also completing my pre-vet requirements.

I was wondering if this would be a realistic path at FIU, especially if I plan my schedule carefully. I also have no formal experience with animation, although I’m a decent self-taught artist. I still have a lot to learn, particularly with areas like shading, perspective, and other art fundamentals, but I’m willing to put in the effort to improve.

Do you think pursuing an Animation major alongside pre-vet prerequisites would be manageable and realistic?

I’m a rising high school senior in Florida, and I hope to move to Michigan someday. I’m especially interested in the Southfield area because the housing is relatively affordable and it’s close to a lot of amenities. I’m also considering Ypsilanti since I’ve heard many positive things about it.
I’m aware of the crime rates in both areas, but I currently live in Miami, where crime is also a regular part of city life, so that isn’t a major concern for me.
My plan is to move there after graduating from vet school, and I’ve been trying to learn more about what life there is actually like.

One thing I’m wondering is whether veterinarians can make a decent living in that area. Would it realistically be possible to buy a house within 1–3 years on an average veterinarian salary, or would that be difficult with student loans and cost of living?
I’d also love to know what there is to do around Southfield, both with a dog and by yourself. I’m especially interested in parks, dog-friendly places, nature areas, shopping, food spots, and general things people do for fun in the area.

Another thing I’m nervous about is the weather. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life, so I’m used to warm weather almost year-round. I did spend two weeks in Canada during the winter when I was younger visiting family, and I remember absolutely loving the snow. More recently, I visited Europe during the winter, and although it didn’t snow, I really enjoyed the cold weather.
My main concern is adjusting to months of snow and freezing temperatures. For someone who has never really experienced long winters, how difficult is it to adapt to Michigan’s winters?

JI’d appreciate hearing from people who live in Michigan, work in veterinary medicine there, or moved from a warm state to a colder one.

I’m a rising high school senior in Florida, and I hope to move to Michigan someday. I’m especially interested in the Southfield area because the housing is relatively affordable and it’s close to a lot of amenities. I’m also considering Ypsilanti since I’ve heard many positive things about it.
I’m aware of the crime rates in both areas, but I currently live in Miami, where crime is also a regular part of city life, so that isn’t a major concern for me.
My plan is to move there after graduating from vet school, and I’ve been trying to learn more about what life there is actually like.

One thing I’m wondering is whether veterinarians can make a decent living in that area. Would it realistically be possible to buy a house within 1–3 years on an average veterinarian salary, or would that be difficult with student loans and cost of living?
I’d also love to know what there is to do around Southfield, both with a dog and by yourself. I’m especially interested in parks, dog-friendly places, nature areas, shopping, food spots, and general things people do for fun in the area.

Another thing I’m nervous about is the weather. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life, so I’m used to warm weather almost year-round. I did spend two weeks in Canada during the winter when I was younger visiting family, and I remember absolutely loving the snow. More recently, I visited Europe during the winter, and although it didn’t snow, I really enjoyed the cold weather.
My main concern is adjusting to months of snow and freezing temperatures. For someone who has never really experienced long winters, how difficult is it to adapt to Michigan’s winters?

JI’d appreciate hearing from people who live in Michigan, work in veterinary medicine there, or moved from a warm state to a colder one.

Hi! I’m an upcoming high school senior in Florida, and my dream is to become a veterinarian. I recently started shadowing a veterinarian this summer, and I’m working toward becoming a competitive applicant for UF. I was wondering what qualities and experiences UF looks for most in successful applicants. Beyond having a strong GPA and veterinary experience what can I do during my undergraduate years to make my application stand out? Are there any common strengths you see in admitted students or mistakes applicants often make?”

Hi! I’m an upcoming high school senior in Florida, and my dream is to become a veterinarian. I recently started shadowing a veterinarian this summer, and I’m working toward becoming a competitive applicant for UF. I was wondering what qualities and experiences UF looks for most in successful applicants. Beyond having a strong GPA and veterinary experience what can I do during my undergraduate years to make my application stand out? Are there any common strengths you see in admitted students or mistakes applicants often make?”

I just called Wise Heart Whippets, and they seem like completely ethical breeders. They do health testing, including heart testing, talked to me about the Whippets they own, and explained temperament differences between individual dogs. Overall, they seem to meet the standards of responsible and ethical breeding.
That said, I’d like to hear from people who have actually gotten a dog from them. Have you had a good experience, and do you feel they are truly ethical breeders in practice?
If they are as good as they seem, this is probably where I plan to get a Whippet if I decide not to rescue one instead.

I just called Wise Heart Whippets, and they seem like completely ethical breeders. They do health testing, including heart testing, talked to me about the Whippets they own, and explained temperament differences between individual dogs. Overall, they seem to meet the standards of responsible and ethical breeding.
That said, I’d like to hear from people who have actually gotten a dog from them. Have you had a good experience, and do you feel they are truly ethical breeders in practice?
If they are as good as they seem, this is probably where I plan to get a Whippet if I decide not to rescue one instead.

High School Student Exploring Perfusion as an Alternative to Vet School

I’m an upcoming senior in high school who has been planning to become a veterinarian since I was a little kid, but the amount of student debt really worries me. One of my biggest goals is to be able to move out of Florida or at least Miami because I hate it here and live independently in state that snows soon after I finish school, but the debt from vet school could make that difficult for 5–10 years or even more, depending on where I attend(since all the cheaper schools are the one where everyone wants to attend)

Earlier this year, I heard about cardiovascular perfusion as a career, but I forgot about it because I assumed it required the same amount of schooling as medical school. After doing some research recently, I was surprised to learn that it usually takes around six years total (including undergrad), has excellent pay, and can offer a better work-life balance than many other healthcare careers, depending on where you work.

I’m now considering it as a possible alternative, and I have a few questions:
\-Are the undergraduate prerequisites for perfusion school similar to those for veterinary school?
\-Which colleges in Florida offer a perfusion program? If Florida doesn’t have many options, what other states have accredited perfusion programs?
\-What undergraduate degree is best if I want to apply to perfusion school?
\-What do perfusion programs look for in applicants (GPA, healthcare experience, shadowing, etc.)?
I’d really appreciate hearing from any perfusionists, current students, or anyone familiar with the application process. Thank you!

I’m still planning on applying to veterinary school. However, if I decide veterinary medicine isn’t the right career for me, or if I don’t get accepted, and by then I’ve shadowed a perfusionist and found that I genuinely enjoy the work, then I plan to apply to perfusion school as well.

Also does anyone know of any shadowing opportunities in or at least near Miami, Florida?

I just called Wise Heart Whippets, and they seem like completely ethical breeders. They do health testing, including heart testing, talked to me about the Whippets they own, and explained temperament differences between individual dogs. Overall, they seem to meet the standards of responsible and ethical breeding.
That said, I’d like to hear from people who have actually gotten a dog from them. Have you had a good experience, and do you feel they are truly ethical breeders in practice?
If they are as good as they seem, this is probably where I plan to get a Whippet if I decide not to rescue one instead.

I currently own a cat that I found last year, as well as a small Maltese–Poodle mix that I got in eighth grade. When I first got my dog, I made a lot of training mistakes because I was completely responsible for her training and didn’t realize how important proper training was. Since then, I’ve learned a lot through social media, books, and other resources, and I’ve corrected many of her behavioral issues while becoming a much better cat and dog owner overall.
In the future, I’d like to get a Whippet if I determine that I can properly handle one. I originally wanted a Greyhound, but their larger size is a concern for me. I don’t mind a dog that is somewhat active—I just don’t want one that requires more exercise than I can realistically provide. Would around two hours of outdoor activity per day generally be enough for a Whippet? I also don’t mind if they enjoy playing games like fetch indoors.
I have a few questions about the breed:
\-How active are Whippets compared to Greyhounds?
\-How common are health issues in the breed?
\-Are they light or heavy shedders?
\-How strong is their prey drive?
\-What is the average weight of an adult female Whippet?
Are there any ethical Whippet breeders in or near Miami?
If so, what is the average cost of a puppy?
Are there any Whippet rescues in or near Miami?
I’d also appreciate any other advice about owning a Whippet, including things I should know before getting one and what to expect after bringing one home.

I currently own a cat that I found last year, as well as a small Maltese–Poodle mix that I got in eighth grade. When I first got my dog, I made a lot of training mistakes because I was completely responsible for her training and didn’t realize how important proper training was. Since then, I’ve learned a lot through social media, books, and other resources, and I’ve corrected many of her behavioral issues while becoming a much better cat and dog owner overall.
In the future, I’d like to get a Whippet if I determine that I can properly handle one. I originally wanted a Greyhound, but their larger size is a concern for me. I don’t mind a dog that is somewhat active—I just don’t want one that requires more exercise than I can realistically provide. Would around two hours of outdoor activity per day generally be enough for a Whippet? I also don’t mind if they enjoy playing games like fetch indoors.
I have a few questions about the breed:
-How active are Whippets compared to Greyhounds?
-How common are health issues in the breed?
-Are they light or heavy shedders?
-How strong is their prey drive?
-What is the average weight of an adult female Whippet?
Are there any ethical Whippet breeders in or near Miami?
If so, what is the average cost of a puppy?
Are there any Whippet rescues in or near Miami?
I’d also appreciate any other advice about owning a Whippet, including things I should know before getting one and what to expect after bringing one home.

Update:
I just called Wise Heart Whippets, and they seem like completely ethical breeders. They do health testing, including heart testing, talked to me about the Whippets they own, and explained temperament differences between individual dogs. Overall, they seem to meet the standards of responsible and ethical breeding.

That said, I’d like to hear from people who have actually gotten a dog from them. Have you had a good experience, and do you feel they are truly ethical breeders in practice?

If they are as good as they seem, this is probably where I plan to get a Whippet if I decide not to rescue one instead.

I’m currently a high school junior, and my dream dog has always been a Doberman. It would be my second dog, but I’ve been around dogs my whole life—especially pit bulls, since my dad has always loved the breed. He has a lot of experience with training and would be helping me train a Doberman as well.

I’m planning far ahead, but after I graduate from vet school and get established in my career, I’d love to get a Doberman. One of the things that attracts me to the breed is that they seem to be both loyal companions and effective deterrents for personal safety.

For veterinarians, veterinary staff, or other busy professionals who own Dobermans: how realistic is it to raise and own one while working full-time? Would starting with a puppy be manageable, or would it make more sense to wait until I have a stable schedule and consider an adult dog instead?

Also, how exactly would you train a Doberman in protection?

I’m currently a high school junior and I’m interested in applying to the 5-Year DVM program at St. George’s University after completing two years of college. I’m planning to spend those two years strengthening my GPA and completing the required science courses before applying.

One of the reasons I’m especially interested in the 5-Year program is because I would be able to graduate a year earlier, which really appeals to me as someone who is committed to pursuing veterinary medicine as soon as possible.

I already have animal experience hours that I’ve been building since October of last year, and this summer I’ll begin shadowing both a private practice veterinarian and a shelter medicine veterinarian so I can gain veterinary experience hours in different areas of the field.

I was also involved in showing poultry during my freshman year of high school, and I was wondering if that experience would count toward animal experience as well.

Since I’m serious about pursuing veterinary medicine, I wanted to ask what else I should focus on to make myself a stronger applicant for the 5-Year program.

I’m currently a high school junior and I’m interested in applying to the 5-Year DVM program at St. George’s University after completing two years of college. I’m planning to spend those two years strengthening my GPA and completing the required science courses before applying.

One of the reasons I’m especially interested in the 5-Year program is because I would be able to graduate a year earlier, which really appeals to me as someone who is committed to pursuing veterinary medicine as soon as possible.

I already have animal experience hours that I’ve been building since October of last year, and this summer I’ll begin shadowing both a private practice veterinarian and a shelter medicine veterinarian so I can gain veterinary experience hours in different areas of the field.

I was also involved in showing poultry during my freshman year of high school, and I was wondering if that experience would count toward animal experience as well.

Since I’m serious about pursuing veterinary medicine, I wanted to ask what else I should focus on to make myself a stronger applicant for the 5-Year program.

I’m currently a high school junior and I’m interested in applying to the 5-Year DVM program at St. George’s University after completing two years of college. I’m planning to spend those two years strengthening my GPA and completing the required science courses before applying.

One of the reasons I’m especially interested in the 5-Year program is because I would be able to graduate a year earlier, which really appeals to me as someone who is committed to pursuing veterinary medicine as soon as possible.

I already have animal experience hours that I’ve been building since October of last year, and this summer I’ll begin shadowing both a private practice veterinarian and a shelter medicine veterinarian so I can gain veterinary experience hours in different areas of the field.

I was also involved in showing poultry during my freshman year of high school, and I was wondering if that experience would count toward animal experience as well.

Since I’m serious about pursuing veterinary medicine, I wanted to ask what else I should focus on to make myself a stronger applicant for the 5-Year program.

I’m currently a high school junior and I’m interested in applying to the 5-Year DVM program at St. George’s University after completing two years of college. I’m planning to spend those two years strengthening my GPA and completing my prerequisite courses before applying.

One of the reasons I’m especially interested in the 5-Year program is because I would be able to graduate a year earlier, which really appeals to me as someone who is committed to pursuing veterinary medicine as soon as possible.

I already have animal experience hours that I’ve been building since October of last year, and this summer I’ll begin shadowing both a private practice veterinarian and a shelter medicine veterinarian so I can gain veterinary experience hours in different areas of the field.

I was also involved in showing poultry during my freshman year of high school, and I was wondering if that experience would count toward animal experience as well.

Since I’m serious about pursuing veterinary medicine, I wanted to ask what else I should focus on to make myself a stronger applicant for the 5-Year program.