Have you ever wondered what the job of your dreams is? You probably have. It ranges from the most common professions in childhood dreams, such as a firefighter, a policeman, a princess … to even more specialized jobs such as a doctor or a veterinary specialist.
However, sometimes the childhood dreams don’t fade away, and becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine is still your dream. It is a really demanding, but rewarding profession indeed. Who these secret heroes for the animals exactly are, and what do they do?
A Vet – Chores & Daily Work
Obviously, before becoming a vet, it is crucial to know the key responsibilities in this profession. In general, a veterinary doctor is involved in all the processes and examinations connected with diagnosing and treating animals.
However, it doesn’t mean that such specialists have to be knowledgeable in all animal species’ diseases. It is possible to narrow it down and choose a field to specialize in, for example, farm animals, domestic animals, or wild animals.
Basically, a vet has four options: to work in a veterinary clinic, on a farm, in a zoo, or as an entrepreneur and owner of their own clinic. The choice depends, of course, on individual preferences and the current situation on the job market.
In all these places, a vet diagnoses the animals, orders the needed treatment, prescribe medications and supervises the treatment process. In more serious cases, a veterinary doctor is also responsible for surgical operations.
To read more about the work of a vet, click here.
How to Become a Vet? Necessary Education
Once you know the chores of a vet, it is worth examining how to become such a specialist.
Typically, the first step to becoming a vet is completing a Bachelor’s Degree Program in this field. It usually lasts for three years and involves studying subjects like biology, chemistry, maths, physics, and more specific, job-related subjects such as mammalogy, biochemistry, or animal anatomy.
During the Bachelor’s course, it is usually possible to take part in various extracurricular activities such as science clubs, discussions, and others. They help you gain some valuable experience and broaden your horizons in the field of your future job.
Having done the Bachelor’s course, future vets need to participate in the Veterinary Medicine Program, which spans up for another four years. This part of education is usually more practical than the first one, as it involves various clinical classes and activities.
Students have contact with real animals and have a chance to put their academic knowledge into practice. The last year of this stage is concerned with more advanced activities, such as applied experiences.
How to Become a Vet – Getting a License
Another important step in becoming a vet is getting a license. In the United States, it involves passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, which is standardized and the same for all states. After getting a positive result, it is possible to be a practitioner of veterinary medicine.
After getting licensed, a veterinary specialist needs to choose a narrower field to specialize in – for example, internal medicine, surgical medicine, and others – just like other doctors do.
To read more about the licensing exam and specialization, click here.
Pros and Cons of the Job
Like every other profession, being a vet has both upsides and downsides.
As far as the positive aspects are concerned, a vet is, of course, involved in interactions with animals. For an animal lover, it is a huge advantage to be in constant touch with them.
Moreover, being a vet usually means earning a high salary. Depending on the workplace and experience, it can even reach ten thousand dollars each month.
Apart from that, a veterinary doctor is, in fact, helping not only animals but also their owners as well. Every person who has a pet is concerned with its health, safety, and well-being. It is also connected with popularizing the knowledge of animal care.
Nevertheless, there are also some negative sides of a vet’s job.
For example, they involve difficult or even dramatic cases when animals cannot be rescued, which may be overwhelming mentally. Therefore, a good vet needs to be mentally resistant.
Another disadvantage of a vet’s work involves a lack of verbal contact with patients – a regular doctor can gain some crucial medical information directly from the patient. When it comes to a veterinary specialist, they cannot do it. The way to overcome it is to contact the owner, but the information is not as precise as hearing a human patient telling how they feel.
However, this profession can be gratifying, as vets are often called ‘heroes for animals’ because they protect and save our little friends.
More pros and cons of a vet’s job are available here.
Conclusion
Being a vet is undoubtedly a demanding and challenging profession, but it can also be extremely rewarding.
It involves a lot of education, determination, and expertise, but once a future animal doctor is well-qualified, it is possible to do this job with passion and involvement.
If you’re thinking of becoming a vet, then don’t hesitate and take the first steps to begin your career in this area.
