Courtney Oliver the 10 Year Old Vet
Courtney Oliver is only 10 years old and already knows exactly what she will be doing for the rest of her life because she completed her college coursework. She’s already a certified veterinary assistant at the South Bay Veterinary Hospital in Olympia, Washington. During surgery, it’s reportedly difficult to tell Courtney from Dr. Michelle Shoemaker (her mentor) with their masks on, however, Courtney is the really tiny one.
What is incredible is that Courtney is still of the age to be in elementary school, but has a college degree, and an on-online certification as a veterinarian assistant.
Dr. Shoemaker said of Courtney:
“She’s amazing. She’s a wonderful girl. Always been so bright, very very smart actually.”
Courtney said:
“Dr. Shoemaker and I are like twins. We just love animals. We just wanted to do this because this is our thing.”
Apparently, despite Courtney’s qualifications and college degree, she can’t practice alone because the state law deems her too young.
What an amazing kid eh? Courtney is being called new Doggie Howzer! I love it.
34 babblicious comments:
WOW. I was on the internet doing a report on being a Veterinary tech because thats what I wanted to be since I was 9 and I’m now 16. I read this thing about Courtney. I was shocked man. I can’t believe it. I’m proud of her. But how old were you when you did your degree?
That is amazing. I was doing a report on her when I ran across your blog. I think it is incredible to see someone as young as her to have accomplished so much. Nice reporting.
This is very bad reporting, actually. She is not a veterinary tech, she is an assistant who did one of those online correspondence courses you see on television during the daytime game shows and soap operas. I see some news outlets even reporting that she is a veterinarian! As a future veterinary student and current veterinary technician I am appalled at the coverage of this girl. It’s great that she is helping and getting vet experience, but she is NOT a vet or even a vet tech!
She hasn’t even reached puberty or no anything about her own body, i think her mother completed her schooling online.
To all those posting negative comments, you should be ASHAMED of yourselves. She’s just a driven little girl living her dream. Is that really a reason to start making up stuff like her MOTHER did her coursework?? Ridiculous. We should be happy there is a kid out there doing something GOOD.
Same thing I said somewhere else: This is NOT a good idea at all. I’ve worked in a vet’s office. I seriously doubt any 10 year old would have the coordination or maturity to handle a position as a vet tech. And the only vet’s office that would hire her, imho, is one that’s just looking for a bit of publicity. There’s just not way a 10 year old should EVER work in a medical capacity with animals. EVER
To the Anon who says those posting negative comments should be ashamed, you really think she’s doing something good? Working with animals is not easy. They’re not like people where you can say “Do this” and in most cases they’ll do it. They can be very difficult to work with and very unpredictable. It is not good to put a 10 year old, or attempt to, in a position where she can be the difference between life and death and can have influence over the medical decisions that have to be made over animals. THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING!!!! I’ve worked with animals in many different capacities, including at a vet’s office. They might just be animal’s but they deserve more than a 10 year old can give them.
Courtey is not s vet tech. She is a certified veterinary assistant and, as reported, VOLUNTEERS one day a week at the veterinary hospital. We should be proud of someone so young dreaming of becoming something and actually taking steps towards her goal. Yes, someday she likely will go on to become a veterinarian or technician. For now, let’s be excited that she is taking steps towards that goal. That is what makes Courtney so special!
In reseponse to Anon “It is not good to put a 10 year old, or attempt to, in a position where she can be the difference between life and death and can have influence over the medical decisions that have to be made over animals.”
This young girl is not in this position. She is a volunteer at her clinic and is definitely not making decisions regarding the medical health of the animals. Let’s leave that up to the vets at the clinic! She is a volunteer who simply watches prcedures and helps in whatever way she can. By no means is she making the decisions!!
“Time for surgery at the South Bay Veterinary Hospital in Olympia.
Dr. Michelle Shoemaker is being assisted by Courtney Oliver”
NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!! I volunteered at a vet’s office when I was in middle school (Around age 13 btw) and never was I allowed in on surgeries. I cleaned exam rooms, cages, observed the vets, socialized some of the animals being boarded (only those specifically approved by the vet). There’s only so much that a CHILD should do with animals in a medical setting, just like there’s only so much a CHILD should do with people. It’s nice that she knows what she wants to do, but anyone who thinks her being a vet tech/assistant whatever at such a young age is a good thing… I have to wonder about you. Honestly though, every time some kid comes up in the news like this, I always how much come from the kid and how much from the parents. Can you really see a 10 year old randomly deciding, “Hey I want to go for my Vet Assistant degree?” Not really. I don’t see that as special.
Did I say she could make decisions? No. The vet’s do make the decisions, but can you imagine how a slip on her part can lead to a very bad decision on the part of the vet? Maybe the reporting is bad, but everything I’ve read has lead me to the conclusion that she has a relatively active role in the office, beyond just interacting with the animals and observing. And that’s a BAD idea.
Let me add to this: I worked at a Humane Society where we had a retarded volunteer, about the mental capacity of a 10 year old. He wasn’t allowed to do anything actually medical but he was allowed to help the vet out. Unfortunately a mistake he made led to a dog being operated on while not fully under anesthesia. And it wasn’t anything medical he was doing. And so I will reiterate, a 10 year old being placed in an active role in a vet’s office is not now, nor will ever be, a good idea.
Where has all this exaggeration come from? Is it from her parents or the media?
Let this be clear: Courtney Oliver does not have a College Degree. She has a certificate as a veterinary assistant. That is a whole different ballpark.
There are three levels in the veterinary world: vet, vet tech and vet assistant. Vet assistant is the least qualified and lowest of them all - that is what Courtney Oliver is actually qualified to do. All this talk of her being a “vet” is rather sad for it insults all those who have actually acquired a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and become a real vet.
One day she might be a real vet - and I hope she is - but, as of today, she is a very, very long way to achieving what all the hype is stating she has actually achieved already - but hasn’t.
This girl should be celebrated for having acquired a certificate as a veterinary assistant - for that is what she has done. That is a worthy achievement in itself. Please don’t exaggerate it.
Aren’t those who say all these negative things just jealous that someone so young has already achieved something useful in her life?
What is wrong with you guys? She has a passion for animals, enough to do something about it. Whats the big deal, she is not performing surgeries, she is not giving injections or shots. She is helping the only way she can right now. It seems that Vets and Vet techs seem to be the most upset by this. Take it easy, nobody is saying that she knows more than you or that she completed the same degree. She did ALOT of reading, thats it, she worked hard by reading and learning the material that are set forth to be certified as an ASSISTANT….Way to Go Courtney. Job well done.
I don’t know why some people get so upset about the YOUNG ACHIEVER. To me, the girl has done creditably well and should be if anything encouraged. If at this age and stage, she has achieved so much (that I doubt many of these noisemakers ever achieved at her age, then by the time she’s a little older, she would have done much more. Thumbs up for ya gud gal, keep it flyin’.
to all those disbelievers of a ten year old girl trying to achieve her dream I say this (DONT BE A RED NECKS ALL YOUR LIFE!)
i think all of you who are hating on this mini genius just need to go to sleep… i think is dope that this lik chicklett is doing this… i wish i could do that…. major props kid! = ]
Interesting story, but not very realistic. For those who are considered genius and complete a college degree in say less than 2 years - it is really bull - they do not actually complete all of the requirements and are given preferential treatment and bypass the normal schedules and pre-requisites. I am working on my 3rd master degree and even though I am a CIO and have taken many courses in IT - I still have to take several basic MIS related courses - they are a joke for me, but none the less, I still have to take them. While I could complete all of the coursework for most of the classes in about 1-2 weeks - I am stuck by the University guidelines and do not know all of the future assignments (assignments are given on a weekly basis to prevent working ahead). Give me the chance to bypass classes or complete them as fast as I can and I will complete 1-2 master degrees per year (from respectable universities). University of Maryland Graduate.
what a cutie girl
i like her…
I’m in the 8th grade and am qualified as the top 1% of 1% of the nation (basically I am incredibly smart). I could skip all of highschool and literature in college with no problem. I am going to take college courses to blow my preliminaries out of the way. I would like to become an actual veteranarian (so if you hear a story on a 14 year old VET…. it’s me lol)
i just watched this girl on Ellen.
She actually did say that she’s done cesareans on her own dogs.
I don’t really think a 10 year old should be doing that. I think it’s great she’s driven and knows what she wants, but she should not be allowed to perform ANY procedure on ANY animal.
O.k., let me try and clarify. The hostility is towards the media for reporting the wrong facts not towards the girl. Good for that little girl for having the drive. With that said, all the “jealous” people that work in this field. Your absolutely right, we are jealous. Everyday we hear things like “your not a real doctor”, “oh, I can’t get my medication over the counter, I have to see the doctor?”, “oh, you go to school to be a vet, I thought you just volunteered”, the list goes on and on. So, now thanks to the media a 10 year old can do my job and I still have to defend my profession to the real “red-necks” of this country. Hope that clarifies, oh, and the headline does say “10-year old vet” So, once again, IT’S TOWARDS THE MEDIA NOT THE GIRL!!!!!
Dear everyone,
We feel that it is important to make everyone aware of the difference between a vet assistant, a vet tech, and a veterinarian. A veterinary assistant does not need proper certification. Anyone can be hired for a period of time such as a summer job to be a vet assistant. Some tasks that are performed by veterinary assistants include the sterilization of surgical instruments, restrainig animals during routine exams and paperwork. Vet assistants who are full time have more responsibilties.
A veterinary technician is similar to a registered nurse at a human hospital. They go through two years of college/community college in order to earn their vet tech diploma. In the work place, a veterinary technician would assist with surgery (not actually performing the surgery), run blood work, and other more “medical” procedures than a veterinary assistant would do.
Lastly, there is the veterinarian. To be a veterinarian, one must first begin an undergraduate degree at university. It is not necessary to complete this degree, but generally at least two years is required. Following that, after applying and successfully gaining acceptance into a veterinary school, it takes four years to graduate. A veterinarian actually performs surgical procedures, diagnoses illnesses and prescribes medication.
Courtney’s opportunity to volunteer at such a young age at a veterinary clinic is a wonderful learning experience for her. However, being a vet assistant does not mean that you progress to a vet tech and then to a vet. They are different jobs. The media does not help with this matter because many articles mention that she is a vet…which she is not.
For those of you who wrote that you want to be a vet when you grow up, the suggestions we have are not to bother with a vet assistant diploma, but to focus on your grades in school, and take courses in school (like science and math) that will give you good groundwork on which you can build. Other than that, gain animal experience wherever you can, whether it be small animals or large animals. Becoming a vet is a long hard (but ultimately rewarding) path to follow and it is important that you understand what this job entails. It isn’t just “playing” with animals all day.
Knowing Courtney and her mother, but not well, I can tell you her mom is a PUSHER and no doubt call the media, first locally and then nationally….I would not be surprised if it was her mother did most of Courtney’s online course work of her paper certificate for a vet ASSISTANT…..not a vet TECH or VET.
Courtney is a spoiled brat and when a breeder told Courtney 3 times to leave her dogs alone at a function and Courtney continued to tease/bother them, her mother grabs Courtney and makes her apologize and (LEAVES with Courtney)in an over dramatic huff….Courtney is just a little girl….no way ever would she touch my dogs!
People, children have been performing life or death procedures on animals for centuries. They were called “FARMS.” The only differences? She has college training, and well, the animals belong to someone else. Which I guess is a consideration if you don’t think want her treating your pet.
Good luck, Courtney!
While I think it is great this 10 year old seems to have passed an online veterinary assistant program, a veterinary assistant program is a certificate program and is NOT the same as a Certified, Licensed, or Registered Veterinary Technician who must complete a rigorous two year Associate Degree program and pass a national exam and a state exam before earning the title. I’m not knocking the kid or Certified Veterinary Assistants. CVA’s are an important part of the veterinary medical team and provide valuable assistance and support to veterinary technicians and veterinarians. However, let’s not confuse the two and incorrectly claim the girl is a veterinary technician or a veterinarian. It is inaccurate and irresponsible reporting and simply isn’t true. Also, as with human nurses in most if not all states, it is illegal for veterinary assistants or veterinary technicians to perform surgery, diagnose or prescribe. So, if she’s performing C-sections at that hospital she and the clinic are most likely in violation of state law.
holy cow
I think the girl is doing a smart thing living her dream..ive always wanted to be a vet but didnt want all the schooling it envolved but now im 16 i think i want to be a vet assistant like her cause i love animals!!
and yall people need to stop dissing her saying she aint a vet tech. ur just jealous cause you aint one!
hi courtney i was just wondering what online college you went to in order to become a vet.because i love animals just like you and i want to become a vet too
She can not be certified because i am 11 years old and a animal hospital or shelter will not let me even volunteer?????????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!
SO I DONT UNDERSTAND??????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this negitive stuff some of you are saying sickens me she is a strong girl who accoplished a pretty amazing thing and all you can think about is the flaws well your just jelous and if your jelous you should keep your nasty thoughts to yourself.
i know courtney and she does laundry cleanes cages and hasn’t been in to VOLUNTEER at all since her publicity! she is not even allowed to walk dogs that do not belong to her. though she completed her course on her own it was not without assistance and teaching from her mother! this all started out as a way to prepare her for classes she would take later in school because its the only class that did not require a high school diploma to enroll in! after being on tv her interests quickly changed from being an aspiring vet to wanting her own tv show so who knows if she will ever even enroll in vet school?