Author: Jason Dombrosky

Prior to vet school, as many of you know, I was a dolphin trainer. After 6 years of slinging fish and dodging lightning in Florida, it was time to move on. As I quickly learned, dolphin training prepares you to do…well, absolutely nothing else in life.

Could I determine which little snot-nosed kid would likely kick Diego (dolphin) in the eye-yes.

Could I escape a naked man hug from “Skip”-yes.

Could I pick out which dad would likely drown before using a life jacket-yes.

But as they say- “you know when it’s time to move on.” I had to pick up some classes in Florida so that I was eligible for vet school. So during my time working, I was also attending UCF. Applications were ridiculous-I was a Canadian on an expiring visa looking to stay in the US to go to vet school. This is less than ideal. Finished applications and ultimately had interviews with Western University and Michigan State.

Michigan State was first-didn’t know what to expect. They placed us in a room. 8-10 candidates, all feverishly reviewing potential questions and me. I introduced myself to a nice lady up front in the office and sat with her and answered phone calls.

Then the interview- I believe there were 3 doctors, all very accomplished, and again me.

“So- Jason, what journals do you read?”

“Does Ranger Rick count?”

Long pause- then laughter.

Somehow they still wanted me for their class of 2010.

Western University was second. Again- didn’t know what to expect, but sitting outside the interview room, I met my friend Phil Mar (who I called Veggie Phil for a few years, until he proved not to be a vegetarian). He was as tired as I was, we bonded instantly.

We both got in.

I finished up my time at Sea World and off I went to the west coast. In my final days, I was left with a lasting line from my friend Shelley Samm

“Western University? That’s a practice vet school right? Not a real school yet?”