Fur, Fin, and Feathers
The Pet Care Forum Newsletter

Working With Animals

Many of us who love animals would also love to have a career working with them. Maybe your interest lies in dog training, becoming a veterinarian, or working with wildlife. Perhaps you want to know what it takes to become a veterinary technician or assistant.

So You Want to be a Vet

Veterinary medicine is truly a diverse profession. The nature of this diversity however has been changing for quite some time. Fewer veterinarians today practice as what is referred to as a "mixed" practitioner, a clinician who diagnoses and treats a wide variety of species. The James Herriott style clinician who sees rabbits, dogs, cats, horses and livestock is uncommon today. Fewer people own livestock and a growing majority of our population own dogs and cats.

Veterinary medicine is also rapidly advancing with an unprecedented growth of knowledge making it more difficult for a veterinarian to remain competent in treating a diverse number of species. More veterinarians are also becoming highly specialized, working with only a single species (e.g. catsonly) as well as pursuing advanced clinical training (internships and residencies) to become board certified in a specialty such as neurology, surgery, oncology, or internal medicine. Some veterinarians choose careers in teaching and even pursue PhDs, JDs, MBAs or even MDs.

Admission to veterinary school is very competitive. About 30 percent of current students were unsuccessful and have applied more than once. Some apply for two, three, or more years to become accepted.

If you are thinking about becoming a veterinarian, here are some tips from Stuart Turner, DVM:

1. Get to know the profession. Aside from being a mandated requirement for admission to veterinary school, work experience in the field is essential to assess your long-term commitment to pursue veterinary medicine as a career.
2. Diversify your background. A diverse background yields a stronger applicant and probably a better veterinarian. You may or may not know whether you wish to be a veterinary technician, a veterinarian specializing in surgery or being a mobile equine veterinarian. You should keep your mind open and explore all facets of the profession. Gain experience working with wildlife, doing research, working at a variety of veterinary hospitals for example.
3. Get good grades. It seems obvious. Admission to veterinary school is highly competitive and admissions committees use grades (as well as GRE, MCAT, or VAT scores, letters of recommendation, personal interviews, personal letters, and experience) as a their major criterion.
4. Enjoy college. All veterinary schools require a standard set of requiredundergraduate course work prior to application such as biology, chemistry, etc. However it isn't required to pursue a biology related major to apply. Certainly if you are interested in genetics or physiology for example, a degree in these fields will prepare you well. But liberal arts is also a good background if that is your interest. Don't make college only a step toward vet school. Take a variety of courses. Participate in different activities. Don't spend your undergraduate years confined to the library.
5. Talk to pre-veterinary advisors. Seek the advice of advisors or counselors at your college or university who are well versed in professional curriculums. You can also join pre-professional student health organizations to get to know other students who share your interest.
6. Visit veterinary schools. If you have the opportunity you should visit a variety of veterinary schools. Tour their teaching hospitals or participate in their annual open-house events.
7. Carefully prepare your application. A veterinary application is comprised of many parts. Be sure your application is complete and well prepared. Keep track of deadlines and get your application submitted as early as possible.
For more information, go to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges website.

Other Careers in Veterinary Medicine

Several other careers are available in veterinary medicine that are vital to the well being of our scaled, furred, and feathered friends.

Veterinary Technician

In North America a veterinary technician is a graduate of a 2-year (Associate of Science degree) Veterinary Technology Program accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

Veterinary Technologist

In North America a veterinary technologist is a graduate of a 4-year (Bachelor of Science degree) Veterinary Technology Program accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

A Veterinary Technician/Technologist is educated to be the veterinarian's primary support person. This person may act as a medical or surgical nurse, laboratory technician, radiography technician, anesthetist, supervisor, or client educator. Veterinary Technicians/Technologists are regulated and must pass credentialing exams that help assure the public that those holding the
titles have at minimum entry-level knowledge for the duties they perform.

In 1999 the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) did a survey that found there were at least 8 job openings for every graduate of a veterinary technology program.

Veterinary Assistant

This person may be trained through a high school, college certificate program, through a distance-learning program over the Internet or by a college cooperative. The veterinarians and staff also train many veterinary assistants on the job. They are primarily there to assist the veterinarian and veterinary technician in the basics of daily operation of the veterinary practice. This may include assisting in procedures, but also janitorial and kennel duties as well. There is no public record of credentialing for veterinary assistants, nor is there currently an accredited program procedure to follow for veterinary assisting courses, and with few exceptions are they eligible to sit for credentialing examinations.

For more information and further contacts check out the following websites:

Veterinary Support Personnel Network

North American Veterinary Technician Association

American Veterinary Medical Association

Other Careers With Animals

You don't have to be a medical professional to work with animals. Visit Science Related Careers Working With Animals and check out a number of science-related options that are available.
If you are looking for tips on becoming a dog trainer or behavior consultant, there is no better place to start than the Association of Pet Dog Trainers' So You Want to be a Dog Trainer.

You'll find a listing of unusual careers with animals at Unusual Jobs.

Check out the incredible website of Pet Sitters International at Pet Sitters International to learn about a career in caring for pets in their homes; they also sell a great book on how to get started.

And if you're thinking about grooming pets as a career, visit the Pet Grooming Information Center.

Fur, Fin, and Feathers is a free electronic newsletter published by the Veterinary Information Network's Pet Care Forum.