Noah McNaughton - Ireland

Traveling to Ireland was an experience I had never anticipated for myself. Nor was it a location for a clinical externship I would have ever considered without the assistance of Global Programs. During my time externing at the Dublin Zoo and University College Dublin, I had exposure to zoo medicine, livestock medicine, and genetic research investigating disease outbreaks.
 

All topics in which my 4th year clinical training in small animal medicine does not touch upon. This was vital to my education because of my interest in pursuing mixed animal medicine after graduation. That includes livestock and exotics wherever I begin practicing. I had the pleasure and opportunity to travel with my classmate and good friend Luke. We stayed with Irish veterinary students who aided in immersing us in the culture and city. It was a great introduction to the country and gave Luke and I insight into Irish culture, life, and the work culture we would be expected to step into.

Our first day was filled to the brim with adventure. We drove 3.5 hours across the country of Ireland to perform a necropsy on a beached whale. Our efforts were written about in the Guardian and mentioned by the President of the United States. Some local residents noticed strangers in their remote community and invited us for a swim in their harbor. They then provided us with a meal and we spoke about Irish life and hot topics in Irish culture and politics.

Another memorable experience was when we traveled to a local convent and assisted the nuns there in providing care for their pet sheep with flystrike. They thanked us with a traditional Irish meal and wonderful conversation.

Luke and I also had the opportunity to assist in the world’s first hippopotamus cataract removal surgery (phacoemulsification). We collaborated with a French ophthalmologist, French anesthesiologist, Italian anesthesia resident, Finnish Anesthesiologist, and the resident Irish zoo veterinarians. The international collaboration and combination of minds resulted in a successful surgery and a newly visual zoo resident!

I am incredibly grateful to Global Programs, my faculty mentor Dr. Karl Jandrey, my classmate and friend Luke Mase, the Dublin Zoo, and University College Dublin for the wonderful opportunity to learn about Irish culture and develop my veterinary skills.