[PHOTOSTORY 4: WORK SHIFT] Best Friends Animal Hospital

 By: Katrina Harlow

Maddie Mules cleans a medical instrument at a sink inside Best Friends Animal Hospital. She says maintaining strict sanitation procedures is essential to keeping animals safe.

Maddie Mules examines a packaged medical supply at a workstation. She explains that carefully checking each item before use helps ensure procedures run smoothly and safely for every patient.

Maddie Mules is a junior at Georgia Southern University majoring in biology with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She plans to graduate in spring 2027 and pursue a career working with animals.

A cat, named leo, stands on the floor inside. The clinic cares for a variety of animals, providing routine checkups and medical treatment to keep pets healthy.

Leo walks through a doorway as Maddie Mules stands nearby inside the hospital. Animals at the clinic are often allowed to move freely between spaces under supervision to keep them comfortable during their visit.

Maddie Mules walks through a treatment area. She assists with daily tasks throughout the clinic, helping care for animals before and after procedures.

Maddie Mules stands beside her co-worker Alexis as they prepare a small animal for an X-ray. The clinic uses diagnostic imaging to identify injuries and guide treatment for pets in their care.

Maddie Mules and Dr. Makenzie Costner review an X-ray image. Costner works with students and staff to diagnose and treat animals, providing hands-on learning experiences in a clinical setting.

Alexis, a veterinary technician, prepares a cone while Maddie Mules stands nearby. Preparing equipment and supplies is a routine part of the imaging process to ensure accurate and safe diagnostics for each animal.

Maddie Mules cleans a surface in the treatment area. Keeping workspaces sanitized is an essential part of daily clinic operations to protect both animals and staff from contamination.

Maddie Mules walks down a kennel corridor toward a PJ, a dog brought in by one of her co-workers. The clinic houses animals in temporary enclosures while they receive treatment, monitoring, or recovery care.

Maddie states that her love of animals is the driving force behind her pursuit of a veterinary career. “I’ve always loved animals, and being able to take care of them every day makes me happy and feels like I'm making an impact,” she says.

Maddie plays with a dog in an outdoor area. Spending time with animals outside of treatment helps reduce stress and improve their overall well-being during their stay.

Maddie plays with PJ in the backyard area of the clinic. “I actually adopted one of my cats from here, and that just made me even more certain that this is what I want to do,” she says.

Maddie prepares a kennel while PJ stands beside her. She helps care for animals throughout the day, making sure they are clean, comfortable, and monitored during their stay.

Maddie works part-time while pursuing her degree as a full-time student. “It can be a lot trying to balance school, work, and still have time for myself, but I know it’s all worth it for what I want to do in the future,” she says.

Maddie plays with PJ in the kennel area. She builds trust with the animals through daily interaction, helping them feel more comfortable around people while in the clinic’s care.

PJ is comforted inside a kennel. For Maddie, moments like these are a meaningful part of her day, helping anxious animals feel safe and cared for.

A playful moment is shared inside a kennel between PJ and Maddie. Balancing hands-on work with her studies, Maddie uses experiences like these to prepare for a future in veterinary medicine.

Maddie says every shift brings new lessons that support what she is learning in her Pre-Veterinary Medicine coursework. She hopes to apply these hands-on experiences to her future career as a veterinarian.