Deaf veterinarians pave their own way

Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam

Dr. Tom McDavitt, like most deaf veterinarians, has learned to auscultate with his hands.

The nervous Corgi dug its nails into the metal examination table as Dr. Thomas McDavitt held the tan-and-white dog in place. The patient began to relax as the veterinarian listened for a heartbeat. But instead of using a stethoscope, he felt the dog’s side with his cheek. It was a bit untraditional, but then again, so is Dr. McDavitt.

After contracting spinal meningitis at the age of 5, Dr. McDavitt experienced swelling from the infection that damaged his auditory nerve and left him permanently deaf. Since that tender age, he resolved to be undeterred by his disability, and later, to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. In fact, whenever anyone told him he couldn’t do something because of his deafness, Dr. McDavitt always had a reply ready—”Watch me!”

The rigors of veterinary education and practice can be difficult enough, but an additional set of challenges arise for people with profound hearing loss. They face issues such as how they will communicate with their peers and clients in various settings and whether they can properly appreciate animal heart, lung, and bowel sounds.

A number of deaf veterinarians have met those challenges in their own way … Continue reading this article on avma.org

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The numbers:

• Estimates of the total number of deaf veterinarians in the U.S. range from 40 to more than 100.
• Approximately 15 American veterinary schools and colleges have graduated deaf students.
• The Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses (AMPHL.org) was founded in 2001 by three deaf veterinarians—Drs. Kimberly Dodge, Candice A. Corriher, and Danielle Rastetter—and three deaf medical students.
• The association has expanded to include other professions such as physical therapy and psychology.

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