0004 Practicing Debate for Aspiring Veterinarians | Kid Vet Traditional or Exotic Pet?

This episode is specifically created to match our FREEBIE download exercise and walk families through our debate activity of choosing the right pet for your family. Have you heard Episode #3's 16-minute episode? If not, check that out here first!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE to grab your debate activity for kiddos!

Okaaaaaay future vets, let’s dive straight into this shorty extra episode activity! If you’ve never tuned in before, I’m Kaitlyn and I own kidvet.com. KidVet.com, home to children and youth interested in animal and veterinary science. I bring you animals, science, and maybe more importantly than that, the soft skills that will set you up for acceptance into vet school! 

0:25: Worldwide, some schools base over 50% of their acceptance decision on things that are not academic-based! Many traits go into a great vet school applicant and I am here to help you work on some of those soft skills. So, let’s get you set up for success! 

0:45: Today, we're diving into preparations for debate. Specifically, choose a pet you want when maybe your family hesitates.

Here’s the question: do traditional or non-traditional animals better pets?

1:02: I have put a workbook in the show notes to walk you through preparing for this debate. In the last episode, we discussed the importance of debate skill. We examined examples of when debate exists in the real world. Some of you will choose to do this activity alone, in an internal debate. I encourage you to follow through even just a hypothetical situation with your family or friends. They will make your debate skills to the next level, make them stronger, and I will tell you why.

Now, let's practice! 

1:36: People get pets for a variety of reasons. And many thoughts go into pet choice. With traditional pets, people first think of companionship and trainability. People like predictability. Owners rest comfortably. They know that there are both boarding facilities and accommodations for pets while traveling. Vet care is plentiful and pet stores are stocked with every needed supply imaginable.

2:05: On the flip side, we have exotic owners. These pets, many times, are truly still wild animals. Potential owners are thankful they found a pet for their allergies. They're comfortable knowing nice cages will give them, sometimes solitary pets, amazing life qualities. They love the rarity and individuality of the animal they choose.

2:33: A good chunk of the decision to buy a pet, and what pet to get, is simply a personal opinion with no right or wrong answer. Different pet owners have different lifestyles, interests, and amounts of time to invest. While there isn't a universal right or wrong answer, you could accidentally but definitely end up with the wrong pet for you. Even just between dog breeds, you could still end up with the wrong dog for you.

So, when deciding... research first. Evaluate the time commitment and financial investment. Consider the lifespan. Examine both how much daily time you have to invest and how many years of life you can commit.

The freebie workbook awaits you in the show notes. Do your own research and consider your individual lifestyle. 

Let’s Get to Know That Wook Book:

3:30 On Page 1, you will find a blank template. I call this a husbandry sheet. Please print as many of these as you need for your research. Each species needs its own sheet. If you’re considering a dog, or a cat, or an animal with breeds, maybe even offer a new sheet for each breed.

3:54: Husbandry is the vet term for how we care for an individual species. Most often, this is used with exotic animals like reptiles, but husbandry happens with any animal we own. This will start the journey for you to make an informed decision based on animal needs and reality, not just your want. No matter how many of us want to own a pet giraffe, we can almost all agree that we cannot care for them appropriately. Sometimes with smaller, more readily available animals, its a little more difficult to come to that conclusion.

4:35: On page 2, you will find some tips for discerning credible sources. See? The internet has no police. People can post wrong information on any website they wish! If not already taken, you could form a website like ‘asianwatermonitors.com/’ and post anything, right or wrong, that you wanted. Accurate information gives your pets a better life. Wrong information is inhumane, possibly animal abuse. So let’s ensure the information we’re collecting is correct.

5:07: On page 3, I have listed some animals for you. Cross out pets you know are wrong for you. Do your research and then circle or list your top four animal choices.

In addition to basic care like food, heat, humidity, and enclosures, on page 4 I have also listed five additional questions you may want to consider in your research.

Step 4 Present your Resaerch

5:37: Finally, present your research to family and friends. If you haven’t listened to episode 0003 yet, go listen to that now. You will present and then listen to the feedback of your family and friends. Usually, parents are against new pets, at least initially, when children ask for them.

Remember this exercise first and foremost is hypothetical. You’re probably not going to get a new pet from this if your family wasn’t already debating and toying with the idea. 

6:08: But if you want to persuade them in your direction, which we’ll talk about in episode 5. Before you even stand a chance, you must first empathetically and respectfully listen to their concerns. You must really hear, consider, and think. Then respond to their rebuttals and hesitations. Write down their questions and concerns. Rather than interrupting in argumentation, note them.

You will be a better pet owner if you write down every single question they have, learn where your research gaps, and then go back and fill in what's missing.

Step 5 Present Once More

6:52: Once spending time addressing their concerns, now you own the valuable information. You can revisit it tomorrow or a year from now. You know why, for example, your parents said no to a new pet salamander. You have the gold in your possession. Use their concerns and their hesitations to do further research. Address their concerns with understanding. Give opportunities for you to prove and grow your point of view, but that might take time. Be open to their feedback and remember, the debate is so much more than just your wants.

Conclusion

7:30: Choosing a pet is a big responsibility and should be done thoughtfully and respectfully. When you research the individual species, you create a well-supported stance. You and your family can then use that information to make the best decision for the animal and for your family.

7:47: Okay, there you have it: a way to practice debate. How much work do you have to do? Thinking through decisions is a skill that takes practice. But, if you're wanting a career in vet med, best get started practicing now! Veterinarians will continue learning the rest of their lives. We want our pets to live their best lives while we live ours beside them. Thanks for listening future veterinarians! Until next time, have a wonderful week!