{"id":30398,"date":"2024-05-23T18:58:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T18:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/?p=30398"},"modified":"2024-05-23T19:35:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T19:35:03","slug":"clinic-champion-amber-larock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/personal-professional-development\/clinic-champion-amber-larock\/","title":{"rendered":"Clinic Champion: Amber LaRock"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note:<\/b><\/span> <\/b>This article discusses substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at <\/span>findtreatment.gov<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shortly before graduating and entering the workforce full-time, Amber LaRock, LVT, saw an ad for what would ultimately be a life-changing experience: a veterinary volunteer trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. The trip was a big success, and LaRock caught the travel bug. Back in the States, she worked extensive hours at an emergency hospital for the chance to carve out time\u2014and savings\u2014to take more trips abroad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to the point where I was living for these travel experiences,\u201d said LaRock. \u201cI would go have an amazing experience, wish my life could be this all the time, and then go back to start the saving process and do it all over again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Every day, veterinary nurses\/technicians make a positive impact on their clients, patients, coworkers, and greater community. But the stories behind each and every one of these professionals are often overlooked due to the selfless nature of working in veterinary medicine. Today\u2019s Veterinary Nurse<\/em> aims to shine a light on some of these stories with its Clinic Champions series. Each issue, TVN<\/em> will honor a veterinary nurse for their contributions in community service, scholarship, advocacy, or innovation. This series will highlight unsung heroes who make a lasting impact on their patients and community. At the end of the year, 1 of the 4 honorees will be recognized as the Clinic Champion of the Year. To nominate a veterinary nurse\/technician, visit bit.ly\/ClinicChampions<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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At that point, LaRock made it her mission to find a way to make a living using her veterinary expertise while also living abroad and getting much-needed \u201canimal time.\u201d The solution? A career in freelance writing for veterinary-focused platforms and volunteer work at international animal clinics and rescues. While LaRock knew this might lead to an \u201cOh my god, I don\u2019t have a job\u201d moment, she made the change.\u201cIt just had to be a leap of faith. I was really scared, but once I dipped my toes into the online space, I found there\u2019s a lot of opportunity online for veterinary professionals, especially if you\u2019re licensed and you have clinical experience,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since 2018, LaRock has been navigating the challenges and joys of her life abroad, spending extended time in Cambodia, Ecuador, and Thailand. She created the Instagram account <\/span>@vettechandtravel<\/span> to chronicle her life and work with local animals abroad. But between posts with the resident cats at a local temple in Chiang Mai and dogs in need of rabies vaccination in Cambodia, LaRock has found her voice as an advocate in the veterinary community. She has made a point to openly discuss her personal experience with substance abuse and journey to sobriety. After experiencing \u201cstigma and shame\u201d as she navigated this process in isolation from her friends and peers, LaRock wanted to help others navigating the same challenges by creating spaces to share and learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a journey, honestly. But I\u2019ve really grown into how comfortable I am in my sobriety today,\u201d she said. \u201cIt took a long time for me to not be ashamed of the little bits and pieces and realize that it\u2019s all part of the journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m going through it, someone is probably going through it right now as well, or they\u2019re trying to move on from it. There\u2019s a lot of us going through this right now. So, if anybody\u2019s embarrassed to talk about it, I at least would like them to see it when they\u2019re scrolling, and know that someone else is out there. It\u2019s going to be OK. Recovery takes work, but it\u2019s not life ending.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We spoke with LaRock about her experience living and working with animals around the globe, her journey to recovery, and how her perspective has changed over the years from these experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n