Doing What We Can with What We Have: and sometimes that’s enough

September 8, 2024

Carolanne Martel, AVC 2025, travelled to Nain and Postville as one of the student participants on the Chinook Project. As part of the experience, the students craft various pieces of writing.

Carolanne with a patient

My time in Labrador has been both a profound and transformative experience in my journey to become a veterinarian. Practicing medicine in such a remote environment has presented me with challenges that have not only tested my clinical skills but also deepened my understanding of the human-animal bond and the weight of responsibility that comes with being a caretaker in times of uncertainty.

When I arrived in Labrador, I was prepared for the limitations that come with practicing in a setting where resources are limited. I knew I would often need to make do with minimal surgical instruments and conserve supplies, balancing the necessity of treatment with the reality of our inventory. However, the gravity of these limitations truly struck me one day when a puppy with a suspected forelimb fracture, was brought in for sterilization. A situation that would ordinarily require an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and possibly a surgical specialist to perform the necessary repair.

In that moment, I was confronted with the reality of our isolation. The nearest X-ray machine or specialist was miles away. I felt a profound sense of helplessness, not only because I couldn’t offer the advanced diagnostics or surgical intervention that might have been available in a more urban setting but also because I could see the emotional toll this was taking on the puppy’s owner.

The owner’s love for their pet was evident in every word, every gesture. They were caught in a heartbreaking dilemma: should they opt for amputation, a procedure within our capability but with significant implications for the pup’s future or consider euthanasia to end what they feared might be unbearable suffering. Our role, in that moment, was to guide them through a decision that weighed heavily on their hearts.

The puppy, despite her injury, seemed to be in relatively good spirits. She was limping but not in obvious distress; there was no yelping or crying, just the quiet resilience that animals so often display. This observation was crucial in our discussions. We reassured the owners that, from our perspective, the pup still had a good quality of life. Though we lacked the tools to definitively diagnose the fracture or repair it surgically, we could at least manage her pain and support her through the healing process, offering hope that the fracture might heal on its own. 

I have learned to trust my instincts more, to rely on my clinical judgment when advanced diagnostics are unavailable, and to communicate with owners with a blend of honesty and compassion. This experience has also reinforced the importance of pain management especially when other options are limited.

Practicing in Labrador has not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my empathy. I have witnessed firsthand the lengths to which people will go to care for their animals, even when faced with daunting choices. This experience has left a permanent mark on me, shaping not just the veterinary student I am today but the veterinarian I strive to become.