Opossum Pike Veterinary Clinic
Intern: Connie Mou
June 20th- Aug. 5th 2011
Frederick, MD
Opossum Pike Vet Clinic
• Address:
1550 Opossumtown Pike
Frederick, MD 21702
• 3 locations, Opossum main clinic with 2 satellite
locations one located in Thurmont, MD and Ballenger
Creek, MD
• 4-doctor AAHA-accredited (American Animal Hospital
Association) hospital
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Dr. Michael E. Schaden, VMD
Dr. Barbara Stastny, DVM
Dr. Emily Yau, VMD
Dr. Becky Arthur, DVM
A little History…
• The practice was founded in 1942 by Dr.
Harold E. Schaden.
– The clinic itself was opened in 1963
– Was originally a mix of large and small animals but
changed to primarily companion animals and
small exotic animals
– In 1978, hospital became a member of American
Animal Hospital Association or AAHA
– Satellite locations opened in 1982 (Thurmont) and
1999 (Ballenger Creek)
Nearby Clinics
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Glade Valley Veterinary Clinic *
West Frederick Veterinary Hospital *
Kingsbrook Animal Hospital
Frederick Veterinary Center
Mc Clellan Veterinary Clinic
Yellow Springs Veterinary Clinic
*Biggest Competitor
Service Area
• Provide care to clients from all around
Maryland, mainly residents in the Frederick
County Area.
• Have close to over 600 clients and over 1000
patients that come in annually
• Provide care to cats, dogs, rodents, rabbits,
and birds (including exotics))
Job Duties
• To shadow, observe, learn, and perform duties
throughout the whole clinic
• Worked through all areas within the clinic to
gain a perspective on how a clinic runs
-Treatments, Surgeries, Pharmacy, Lab work, Client
Appointments, Radiology, Reception, Animal Care
At the end of the internship, compiled a selfresearched project and presented to the staff of the
clinic at a lunch meeting.
Supervisor
• Dr. Michael E. Schaden
– Head Vet of the clinic as well as the owner
– Guided me throughout the internship, set up each
week’s goals as to where I would be working and
who I would be with
– Certain days were focused on certain areas within
the clinic such as animal care, treatment,
reception etc…
– Provided an outlook as to what the hours of the
internship would be
How it Started…
• Gained interest in the veterinary field at a
young age
• Pursued the interest throughout the years
• Wanted to work in a clinic to gain experience
– Needed a summer job
– Called around at local clinics to see if they offered
any positions
– Set up interview
– Got the position and started in the summer of 11’
Initial Outcomes Expected…
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Working throughout each section of the clinic
Working alongside Dr. Schaden
Seeing typical companion animals
Interacting with clients
What I learned…
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Worked with all people in the clinic and established a lot of relationships
Saw a larger variety of animals than expected such as birds of prey (wildlife),
prairie dog
Observed a great deal more of euthanasia's than I expected
Doctor-Client relationships are key
Receptionists are the ones keeping the clinic organized and up to date
Learned more about dog and dog care
There are a great deal of fat and obese animals
Made friends with the workers such as technicians and caretakers
– Learned about vet technician careers
– Got to see a great deal of surgeries, wildlife situations and patient treatments
– Saw the good and bad parts of having a career in the veterinary field
What I gained…
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New Friends
Knowledge
Employee Relationship know-how
Client-Doctor tips
A better lookout on what my future can hold