096: How To Protect Yourself & Animals From Infectious Diseases w/ Jennifer House

Nov 5, 2019

Jennifer House is a real-life virus hunter, DVM, and public health veterinarian. Jennifer is passionate about keeping animals and humans safe from diseases such as rabies, plague, and tularemia. 

While the diseases may sound scary, Jennifer is here to educate about the preventable and treatable ways that you can protect yourself and your animals. An interesting look into alternative veterinary careers, Jennifer is fervent about what she does and stopping diseases in their tracks.

If you are looking into a career at the state health department, want to understand the stress behind making life or death decisions when it comes to public health or are interested in learning more about how diseases can impact humans, animals, and the environment, Jennifer is the expert you need to listen too. 

Do you have an infectious disease story? Share your experience with us in the comments on the episode page! 

 

In This Episode

• Understanding the value of having a dedicated human and animal health specialist
• A peek into the stress behind physician recommendations when diagnosing disease
• Learn how infectious diseases can impact humans, animals, and the environment
• Discover the measures taken to protect humans and animals from infectious disease
• Why you should get rabies vaccines for you and your beloved animals 

 

Quotes

“I was called to go down this path. Oddly enough the Hantavirus was the trigger, and so I intentionally went to college and veterinary school with the intent of doing public health, and this career certainly lead me further than I ever anticipated going.” (11:33)

“I think it is very valuable to have one person that is looking at that bigger picture of looking at human and animal health concurrently.” (17:55)

“It can sound very exciting on the service, but a lot of it is actually spreadsheets and phone calls and reading articles. And all of that really excites me, I find it interesting.” (21:03)

“Ultimately the physician makes the decision of what to do, and I have to give them the available science, the protocols and the recommendations so that they can make the best decision for their patients.” (24:27)

“I always want to make everybody happy, but sometimes I make nobody happy. But at the end of the day, I hope that what I have done has saved lives, both animals and peoples.” (32:10)

 

Links

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