When I first entered the field of veterinary medicine, I didn’t realize that being a mixed animal/large animal vet meant that I would be expected to dress and act a certain way at all times. It’s a stereotype, but of course, I dress the part at work because most of the time I am covered in cow poop or other bodily fluids from animals, so having a uniform saves me a lot of heartache about ruining my favorite outfits. It’s not too heartbreaking to cover a polo and khakis in gunk. It is, however, heartbreaking when poop shoots straight at my face, but it happens and I’ve learned not to gag too much because it’s even more heartbreaking to lose one’s lunch. Occasionally, I like to scrub all that off and feel like a woman. When I clean up, I don’t just try to look nice, I try to look fantastic, stylish, and I dress like I’m going to the ball, which drives my husband to eye rolls because then he must match the effort on date nights, but really, he should be thankful. Being dressed to kill, and the shopping habit that accompanies it, is often seen as odd in my field, but slowly but surely, everyone that I work with is getting used to it. When I first started out as an associate veterinarian, I would pull up to a farm for the first time to deliver a calf, and I could literally see the look of "Oh crap" on the farmers’ faces. When you're a somewhat petite, young blonde woman, producers will sometimes make assumptions about you as well. I really can't blame them, though. Until then, they were used to an older, larger male coming out to their farm. I'm sure they had serious doubts as to whether I could handle the work and get the job done. But by and large, most producers were very nice and accepting once they realized I was competent and could do the job. Once when I went out to a farm to deliver a calf, I got the cow tied up and went right to work. The farmer looked at me and said, "Wow! You really get right in there, don't you?" I guess he thought since I was a woman I might go about it more daintily. I have no idea what he was picturing, but it is technically impossible to reach in a cow’s vagina daintily. A few minutes later during the process he said, "Wow! You can fit both arms in there?" Yes, it’s the benefit of having small hands and arms. That is probably a good case for women dominating the large animal field, wink, wink. Comes in handy when the calf is breach. It worked out well that day because I delivered live twin calves. So of course I get right in there! 1) It's a lot more fun to deliver a live calf, so it's best to do it quickly. 2) It's my job. 3) I have other stuff to do, so no point in wasting my time or yours. That “stuff” might just be going home and binge watching Netflix instead of cleaning house, but stuff nonetheless. So I guess being a female can be a good thing because you can impress people easily due to their low expectations. That's kind of sad, really, if you think about it. But it is a way to get your foot in the door in an industry previously dominated by men. Once that happens, you can slowly show clients that for the most part, a woman can perform just as well in this field as any man. You just might have to put up with some mildly sexist and interesting comments along the way, most of which I find more entertaining than anything. A number of those interesting comments are of the inappropriate sort, said while I’m working, especially while I'm performing breeding soundness exams on bulls. Mostly those things are said by producers, but I might contribute a little. It’s a somewhat awkward situation for most people, so it’s difficult not to make a joke or two. I’d go into more detail about those comments, but that may be a little inappropriate for this blog. My mother reads it. Because most of my life is spent at work, I don't get an opportunity to look or dress girly very often. On most days, I wear my typical clinic uniform of a polo shirt, khakis, and boots. I then change into my workout clothes for my evening run and then shower and transition to sweat pants. That's my fashion progression most days, from casual, to athletic, to bum. However, I love to shop. Thankfully, my job keeps me so busy, I don’t get the opportunity to shop very often, and being a business owner also put a damper on that activity as well. The bank does not care how cute I look in a particular outfit, so it speaks to me through my conscience when I almost spend too much. I also love to dress well when given the opportunity, so I enjoy my few shopping excursions. Our regional veterinary association meetings are usually my greatest opportunities to dress up, and most of the time I go all-out. Many of the older, male large animal veterinarians have walked up to me at our vet meetings with incredulous looks, saying, "You do large animals?!" I didn't realize that I was supposed to dress like an older gentleman with pressed jeans and a blazer. So when I dress up, I hear these comments and questions repeatedly (and I’ve included my sarcastic replies that I usually keep to myself): 1) Do you wear those heels when you work around cattle? (No, although dancing for several hours in heels can have me walking like a baby calf at the end of the night). 2) I bet those cows don't appreciate your looks (No, no they don't. They'll mow over me just like everyone else. And by the way, that was creepy). 3) You're a lot better lookin' than Dr. Vroman. (Gee, thanks. Am I supposed to be flattered when people say I look better than my 70-year-old male colleague? I'll take it.) 4) I bet farmers like having you work their cattle. (Sure they do! I'm a skilled, competent veterinarian, or at least like to think of myself that way. If they have me work on their animals for other reasons, that works too. I'll take their business either way. By the way, that also sounded creepy. Calm yourself). 5) You can't deliver a calf in that outfit (Really? You don't say? Actually you could technically deliver a calf wearing anything, but again, amniotic fluid and designer clothing don't mix. This is why I keep coveralls and a change of clothes in my truck. It's important to be able to go from cute to saving lives in a minute flat). Overall, I think it’s obvious to everyone that I don’t fit the mold of what they think I should look like or even act like. My attire is brought up frequently, but people are also surprised to find out that I grew up a “towny.” They assume I was born a country girl because I work with large animals, but most people that ask that probably don’t realize that in my hometown being a towny just means that the country is a few blocks away. I also prefer alternative rock over country music, and I’m currently working on converting my technicians to alternative rock lovers since that's what I play in the OR on surgery days. I also cuss like a sailor. I'm pretty good about not doing this on the job, unless I get kicked or stepped on, or I ram my shin into the hitch of my vet truck. That actually happens more than I would like to admit, but that sucker is at the perfect height. I also don't like beer (there, I said it). I'm an exercise fanatic (People are concerned that I run too much, but it’s a mood enhancer for me, a benefit for everyone around me). Last, but not least, I have tattoos (and according to my father-in-law, that makes me a criminal). What I’ve learned from all these questions about my attire and behavior is that it's okay to not fit in someone's box of what they think you should be. Basically, I'm really trying to avoid the corny saying of “Be Yourself.” And I definitely don't want to utter it, but in the spirit of Kid President, I’ll quote the famous Walt Whitman: YOLO. However, it's okay to keep people on their toes and make them just a little bit uncomfortable. It keeps life interesting. I'll continue to cultivate my love for fashion, shopping, and dressing up along with rolling in cow crap on a daily basis. It's a nice balance!
6 Comments
Novy
1/3/2016 06:34:12 am
You go, girl. You have proven to be a fantastic vet with great skill, compassion for the animals and owners, and a love for what you do. The fact that you are outgoing, honest, funny and very beautiful is just a plus for your clients.
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Jessica Stroupe
1/4/2016 06:11:49 am
Thank you, Novy! You're too kind!
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1/3/2016 07:38:06 am
I appreciate what you do, Jessica. My big mare did fine with her shots this week but the "puffer" medicine did her in and after the 4th attempt to get it puffed on her nose she decided to take off. In the process she managed to step on my foot and then ran into me. The result was me hitting the frozen ground and landing on my tailbone! I think my pride was hurt as much as my rear! My mare is pretty gentle so I can't imagine taking on cattle. A friend of mine that was also a farrier taught me that no person can out muscle a horse, and he would tell me I have to "out think" them. I believe there is a lot of wisdom in his words. I appreciate what you do and am thankful you are brave enough to take it on! I do like your blog, too! Maybe archive them all and put out a book someday?
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Jessica Stroupe
1/4/2016 06:15:57 am
Thank you, Kathryn! It's true. No matter what size you are, you can't out-muscle a cow or a horse.
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Laura
1/5/2016 10:10:35 am
I just love reading your blog.
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Jessica Stroupe
1/6/2016 04:47:31 am
Thank you, Laura!
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Jessica Stroupe, DVM
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