Veterinary Assistant/Animal Care Specialist

Hillary D. Braverman

OBJECTIVE: To gain valuable experience in animal management, health care and research practices in order to pursue a future career in veterinary medicine and clinical research.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts May 2010

Major: Biology with a specialization in Marine Science

Minor: Psychology

Boston University: Boston, Massachusetts

GPA (as of Spring 2009): 3.97 on a 4.0 grading scale

Relevant courses taken:

Cell biology Infectious diseases

Microbiology Organic chemistry I & II

Systems Physiology Calculus I & II

Inorganic chemistry I & II Statistics

Physiological Psychology Marine Biology

Marine Megafaunal Ecology Chemosensory Biology

Ichthyology I & II Psychology of Personality

Abnormal Psychology

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 2003 & 2007 (powerpoint, excel, etc.)

• Basic knowledge of JMP statistical software

• Artistic Skills: Photoshop

• Language Skills: Italian

• Experience in working with animals in a hospital setting and a research setting

EXPERIENCE:

Intern, May 2009-August 2009

Cornell Sheep Farm

• Daily management of sheep flocks: prepared food, vitamin supplements, water and performed health checks

• Performed simple medical procedures such as drawing blood, administering medications/vaccinations and assisting in the birthing of lambs.

• Performed other duties such as hoof trimming, wool sorting and sorting of the sheep flocks (weighing, sexing sheep, etc.)

• Performed Necropsies with Veterinarian present

• Assisted in Graduate Student’s Research on the strength of the ewe-lamb bond after lambing in separate cubicles vs. in open pens.

Intern, May 2009-August 2009

Cornell Dairy Barn

• Worked with the Herd Health department in administering treatments: Gave IV fluids, oral/injection meds and vaccinations.

• Assisted in the birthing of calves

• Assisted in Necropsies

• Assisted Ambulatory Veterinarians whilst they performed pregnancy checks on the herd

• Daily management of calves: prepared milk, grain, and water.

• Worked in the milking parlor: milked 700 cows daily

Student researcher, January 2009- present

Lab of Dr. Jelle Atema Boston, MA

• Developing senior thesis with Professor Atema

• The project involves determining the patterns of agonistic behaviors between male American Lobsters, H. americanus, that lead to the establishment and recognition (memory) of dominance

• Mentored High School students over the summer and taught them how to run my experiments

Student researcher, September 2008 to December 2008

Boston University Marine Program (BUMP) Boston, MA

• Project 1 (September): Assessed the effects of various physical and biological factors on the seabird populations of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

• A) This involved many hours of field work (traveling into Stellwagen Bank, preparing chum samples and recording observations) and data analysis

• Project 2 (October): Tested whether False Clownfish (A. ocellaris) are able to chemically and/or visually identity their respective partners

• A) This project involved designing and implementing an experimental design and protocol, constructing the testing area, and hours of behavioral observation and data analysis.

• Project 3 (November-December): Assessed the prevalence of diseased fish on the island of Wee Wee Caye (this was field work done on an island off of Belize) and observed how disease affects the behavior (i.e. eating habits and aggression levels) of Damselfish

• A) This project involved many hours of field work (exploring the reef system surrounding the island, many hours of behavioral observations in the water) and data analysis.

• All three projects culminated in the writing of a 15-30 page research paper and an defense of the research in front of professors and peers.

Veterinary assistant, June 2008 to September 2008

Center for Specialized Veterinary Care Westbury NY, 11797

• Performed initial evaluations of patients triaged to ICU and assisted veterinarians in full evaluations of patients

• Monitored health of admitted patients in both the ICU and treatment wards: evaluated and took meticulous records on their temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, weight, O2 levels and Blood pressure (using the Doppler)

• Ensured the care of all animals in the ICU and treatment wards: fed, walked, changed IV bags/Urine Bags of all animals.

• Tended to young kittens on an hourly basis and those animals in the isolation ward.

• Ran CBCs and super chemistries on patient blood samples

• Ran the compassionate care center, providing support for grieving owners

Receptionist, June 2006 to September 2006

All Island OB/GYN Garden City, NY 11530

• Provided front desk support at a high-volume private practice

• Made appointments for a variety of different procedures/visits, answered phones, and took detailed notes for the doctor and nurses

• Kept patient records organized and up to date

ACTIVITIES/HONORS/OTHER:

• Shadowed veterinarians at Mid-Island Animal Hospital in Westbury, NY (Observed Surgeries, monitored Anesthesia during Dental procedures, analyzed fecal samples, saw clients): June 2007-September 2007

• Member, Pre-Veterinary Society, 2007-present (Help to organize trips to volunteer at the local low-cost Veterinary clinic)

• Member, Marine Science Association 2008-present

• Teaching assistant for Physiological psychology (PS 231), Fall 2008

• Teaching assistant for Marine Biology (BI 260), 2009- present

• Undergraduate Assistant: Physiology Lab, 2009

• Dean’s list: Spring 2007- present

• College scholar (awarded to students in top 5% of their class): Fall 2007- present

• Lara Vincent Award Winner for most original marine undergraduate research

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