Dive Into Your Imagination

Exam Day

I have been interested in animal medicine since I was in elementary school. Growing up, my family's two dogs gave me so much joy that I dreamed that when I was older, I would spend all of my time among animals. I always accompanied my parents on trips to our veterinarian, and I remember watching with wide eyes as the doctors listened to my dogs' hearts and offered them biscuits. I wanted their job!

Fast forward to my college years, when I worked as a veterinary assistant to two wonderful small animal (mainly dog and cat) veterinarians… and I found myself in the exact same situation. I remember holding a large German shepherd for one of the doctors as he listened to the dog's heart. Dr. Lewis giggled merrily, put his stethoscope down, turned to me and said, "The animal heart is such an amazing thing, isn't it?"

And now I once more find myself in a similar circumstance, but in a new location, surrounded by other individuals. And what is the biggest difference between working with dolphins instead of dogs and cats? The first two things that pop into my mind are that everything is bigger and wetter!

On my first day interning at Mote, my supervisor asked me what kind of animal handling experience I have, and I listed off an assortment of past jobs in animal care. She asked, "Have you ever worked with equines (horses)?" I had not. She warned me, "Because due to the size of these animals, this is going to be a lot like caring for horses." And I found out very quickly how much care, strength, teamwork, and experience are needed in order to nurse a sick dolphin back to health.

Currently, Pete has exams twice a week, on Monday and on Friday, during which our veterinarian or veterinary technician give him a "snout to fluke" bill of health. This is easier said than done! A lot of careful preparation goes into these exams. Pete's water is lowered a few feet, and a group of ten volunteers, interns and staff animal handlers enter the tank and take their positions around Pete. We link arms with the handler across from us, and hold on tight!

My first time participating was quite an experience! My goal was to hold Pete as still, and as safely, as possible while our veterinary technician took various samples (like stomach contents, stool, and blowhole). She also drew blood from Pete, and later showed me how a major blood vessel runs down a dark line in the dolphin's fluke. These small blood samples will allow us to keep an eye on Pete's infections (we hope for low white blood cell numbers!).

But the exam is not over yet. We still have to weigh Pete! Staff members instruct us how to move and position Pete, and (with the help of a giant sling and crane!) the task is completed in a minute. Before our exam is over, the veterinary technician listens to his breathing and heartbeat, addresses any other concerns, and she is done! We, however, are not finished. Pete is a wild animal, and every precaution is taken for Pete's safety, and for our own. One by one, handlers were dismissed from their positions and quickly exited via the tank ladder. When a handful of staff were left with Pete, his morning feeding began… at the other side of the tank. As Pete's first fish of the day hit the water, the remaining handlers let go and exited while Pete dashed to the opposite side of the tank for breakfast.

My first exam was a success! Not only did I learn, hands-on, how to perform a dolphin exam, but I was able to practice with an experienced team of animal handlers. Pete, along with other cetaceans, are extremely strong wild animals, and if Pete were to feel threatened, he could badly injure one of us. However, Pete behaved wonderfully, and I was thankful that his temperament, along with the experience of the staff and volunteers, was so great that I could participate in an opportunity like this. I can only imagine what it would be like to work with something bigger… like a whale!

Throughout this process my mind kept racing. I focused all of my muscle strength on Pete, and my observations on the people around me. I constantly compared these veterinary methods to those I have practiced with familiar dogs and cats. And it occurred to me…

The animal heart is such an amazing thing!

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