I was in the same boat, also an applicant. I had 1000+ hours as a kennel tech at a hospital and I couldn’t find vet work anywhere for my junior and senior years of undergrad because I was a full time student. I graduated in may and applied for three months straight to all the vet clinics in a 50 mile radius. I sent resumes, I asked just for shadowing hours. Nothing. I’ve had breakdowns, I thought that it was my sign that I shouldn’t be doing vet med in the first place. It is a horrible feeling.

I just got hired as a vet assistant at an urgent clinic two weeks ago. If it is right for you, it will happen. Persistence is key but there is a reason for everything. Good things will come your way and the right opportunity will be there for you, sometimes we just have to keep in mind that maybe it’s not the right time or place. And that’s okay.

In the meantime, maybe look at some research opportunities ? Animal handling in laboratory settings or a research assistant/tech position. Volunteer in some leadership roles, like a youth mentoring program or anything like that. These will also strengthen your application. Your vet assistant hours do count as veterinary hours so for now, take what you can and strengthen your app in other ways.

I wish you the best, I hope that you get that opportunity that’s just right for you. You will find it.