2 answers
lydarrien
Student
3
Questions
Asked
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What does it take to become a veterinarian?
I am a sophomore that loves pets; the health and training of pets means a lot to me, but what will i have to accomplish to complete this dream? #health #veterinarian
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2 answers
John Oller
Engineer, Project Manager, Quality Manager
159
Answers
Rockford, Illinois
Updated
John’s Answer
Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college, as well as a state license.
Education
Veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. A veterinary medicine program generally takes 4 years to complete and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical components.
Admission to veterinary programs is competitive. Most applicants to veterinary school have a bachelor’s degree. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken many science classes, including biology, chemistry, and animal science. Most programs also require math, humanities, and social science courses.
Some veterinary medical colleges prefer candidates to have experience such as previous work with veterinarians in clinics, or working with animals on a farm, at a stable, or in an animal shelter.
In veterinary medicine programs, students take courses on animal anatomy and physiology, as well as disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Most programs include 3 years of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work. Students typically spend the final year of the 4-year program doing clinical rotations in a veterinary medical center or hospital.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Veterinarians must be licensed in order to practice in the United States. Licensing requirements vary by state, but prospective veterinarians in all states must complete an accredited veterinary program and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
In addition to passing the national exam, most states require that veterinarians pass a state licensing exam. However, veterinarians employed by state or federal government may not need a state license, because government agencies differ in what they require.
Each state’s exam covers its laws and regulations. Few states accept licenses from other states, so veterinarians usually must take exams for the states in which they want to be licensed.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program, which allows foreign graduates to fulfill the educational prerequisites for licensure.
Important Qualities
- Communication skills. Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who must be able to discuss their recommendations and explain treatment options to animal owners and give instructions to their staff.
- Compassion. Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners. They must treat animals with kindness and respect, and they must be sensitive when dealing with the animal owners.
- Decision-making skills. Veterinarians must decide the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals.
- Manual dexterity. Veterinarians must control their hand movements and be precise when treating injuries and performing surgery.
- Problem-solving skills. Veterinarians need strong problem-solving skills because they must figure out what is ailing animals. Those who test animals to determine the effects of drug therapies also need excellent diagnostic skills.
you can research further at www.bls.gov/ooh
Find a local Veterinary and ask if they can discuss with you how to become one, plus you can see what they do every day.
Education
Veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. A veterinary medicine program generally takes 4 years to complete and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical components.
Admission to veterinary programs is competitive. Most applicants to veterinary school have a bachelor’s degree. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken many science classes, including biology, chemistry, and animal science. Most programs also require math, humanities, and social science courses.
Some veterinary medical colleges prefer candidates to have experience such as previous work with veterinarians in clinics, or working with animals on a farm, at a stable, or in an animal shelter.
In veterinary medicine programs, students take courses on animal anatomy and physiology, as well as disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Most programs include 3 years of classroom, laboratory, and clinical work. Students typically spend the final year of the 4-year program doing clinical rotations in a veterinary medical center or hospital.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Veterinarians must be licensed in order to practice in the United States. Licensing requirements vary by state, but prospective veterinarians in all states must complete an accredited veterinary program and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
In addition to passing the national exam, most states require that veterinarians pass a state licensing exam. However, veterinarians employed by state or federal government may not need a state license, because government agencies differ in what they require.
Each state’s exam covers its laws and regulations. Few states accept licenses from other states, so veterinarians usually must take exams for the states in which they want to be licensed.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program, which allows foreign graduates to fulfill the educational prerequisites for licensure.
Important Qualities
- Communication skills. Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who must be able to discuss their recommendations and explain treatment options to animal owners and give instructions to their staff.
- Compassion. Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners. They must treat animals with kindness and respect, and they must be sensitive when dealing with the animal owners.
- Decision-making skills. Veterinarians must decide the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals.
- Manual dexterity. Veterinarians must control their hand movements and be precise when treating injuries and performing surgery.
- Problem-solving skills. Veterinarians need strong problem-solving skills because they must figure out what is ailing animals. Those who test animals to determine the effects of drug therapies also need excellent diagnostic skills.
John recommends the following next steps:
Barbara Roche
PR
5
Answers
Watchung, New Jersey
Updated
Barbara’s Answer
What an admirable, but most difficult choice. Remember you can't talk with your patients! And there are so many paths to go. Small animals or large? Sea or land or air? Internal medcine or dental? (Remember that animals have teeth too!)
Do as much hands-on research as possible to understand what you enjoy most. While in high school, volunteer at a zoo, a farm, a shelter or maybe all on a rotating schedule for a year. There is plenty of time to study and you'll do a lot of that obtaining degrees, but understand yourself and your passion. PS. From all us pet owners, thank you. My two horses have regular check-ups twice a year and it's amazing how much the vet can understand just by touching and listening!
Find as many different kinds of facilities that care for different animals and visit. Then volunteer...it's great if you get paid, but spend some time with the animals to see what happens day to day.
While at different facilities, ASK QUESTIONS! Be curious.
Do as much hands-on research as possible to understand what you enjoy most. While in high school, volunteer at a zoo, a farm, a shelter or maybe all on a rotating schedule for a year. There is plenty of time to study and you'll do a lot of that obtaining degrees, but understand yourself and your passion. PS. From all us pet owners, thank you. My two horses have regular check-ups twice a year and it's amazing how much the vet can understand just by touching and listening!
Barbara recommends the following next steps: