Coco Yeung
As a veterinary student interested in integrative medicine, mixed animal practice, and rehabilitation, I have always wanted to get more clinical experience in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) and working with exotic species. Therefore, I traveled to Hong Kong for my global program and did two externships that are related to my career goals.
With my interest in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, I spent my first four weeks in Hong Kong at a TCVM clinic part of the Pet Space Group. This experience was my first time ever working at vet clinics outside of the United States. The clinic provides both Western and Chinese medicine treatments, such as acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, and tui-na. I got to shadow veterinarians who are acupuncture certified and learn about different acupoints for different types of diseases. I learned that herbal medicine is much more diverse and popular in Asian countries because of the huge varieties of herbs that are available in Asia. I gained more understanding and appreciation of integrative medicine through this experience. It was definitely a challenge for me to work with clients and coworkers with different cultural backgrounds and languages. But with the help of my coworkers, I was able to navigate my way, communicate with clients effectively, and prepare herbal medication for patients. Other than the TCVM clinic, I also went to other clinics within the Pet Space Group where I got to work with local veterinarians and clients. Working at local clinics that primarily speak Cantonese was definitely an eye-opening experience. I learned to work with clients and coworkers with different cultural backgrounds. Even better yet, I wish I could be more prepared with my Chinese medical terminologies.
I spent another one and a half weeks at Ocean Park since I’ve always been interested in working with exotic animals and wildlife. Hong Kong Ocean Park is a world-renowned aquarium and zoo amusement park with a strong focus on conservation and education. It is also one of the few AZA-certified facilities outside of the United States and plays a crucial role in the conservation of several endangered animal species in Asia. I got to do lots of fieldwork, medical care, and necropsies for patients in Ocean Park, including lots of marine mammals, and some aquatic and terrestrial species. Some highlights of this externship: I worked on a stingray necropsy and prepared shark specimens, which I had zero experience with these aquatic species before. Also, I did a physical exam on a Pygmy marmoset, touched a sloth for the first time, and connected my career interests by observing an iguana getting acupuncture treatment from the head veterinarian. Ocean Park puts a lot of effort towards endangered species conservation. They have been developing artificial insemination techniques to help revive endangered species populations. I was able to observe a follicle ultrasound on a critically endangered Chinese alligator that had received artificial insemination. Since I’ve never worked at a zoo before, this experience was a very special and unique experience for me and really sparked my interest in working with exotic species. I hope to combine my interests and be able to work with both small animals and exotic species through the lens of integrative medicine and conservation.
Hong Kong is a beautiful city with a unique mix of Asian and Western culture. Overall, this global program helped me tremendously in exploring my career goal, appreciating diversity, and learning about different cultures. I am super grateful for this opportunity and would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Office for Global Programs for funding this experience, to Pet Space Group and Hong Kong Ocean Park for hosting me, and to my mentors for guiding me through this journey.
