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For Veterinarians/ aspiring veterinarians, is there a reason you decided to choose that field?
I have always loved animals but I am wondering what my love for the field stems from. I didn't have any pets growing up, as much as I wanted to, but I have always felt a connection to animals when in their presence. I also grew up in an urban setting so I wasn't too exposed to animals besides at the zoo, or a friend's house. Are there any other veterinarians that shared a similar experience growing up?
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Sanaii,
Reasons for Choosing to Become a Veterinarian
Becoming a veterinarian is a career choice often stems from a deep love and connection with animals. Many individuals who choose this profession have had experiences similar to yours, where they felt drawn to animals despite not having pets or extensive exposure to them during childhood.
Passion for Animals
Your innate love for animals and the strong connection you feel when in their presence are common reasons why many people decide to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This passion often serves as the driving force behind the decision to become a veterinarian, as it allows individuals to combine their love for animals with their desire to make a positive impact on their lives.
Early Experiences and Exposure
Growing up in an urban setting without pets may have limited your direct interactions with animals, but visits to the zoo or friends’ houses where you encountered animals could have sparked your interest and nurtured your connection with them. These early experiences, even if infrequent, can leave a lasting impression and influence your decision to pursue a career working with animals.
Empathy and Compassion
Many veterinarians share a common trait of empathy and compassion towards animals. This deep sense of care and concern for the well-being of animals drives them to choose a profession where they can provide medical care, support, and advocacy for creatures that cannot always speak for themselves.
Desire to Make a Difference
For aspiring veterinarians, the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals is often a significant motivator. Whether it involves treating sick or injured animals, promoting animal welfare, or conducting research to advance veterinary medicine, the desire to contribute positively to the well-being of animals is a key factor in choosing this field.
In conclusion, your love for animals, even without direct exposure during childhood, combined with your inherent connection with them, likely plays a significant role in your interest in becoming a veterinarian. Many veterinarians have shared similar experiences growing up and have been driven by their passion for animals, empathy, compassion, and desire to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - The AVMA is one of the most reputable sources for information related to veterinary medicine. They provide insights into the profession, educational requirements, career paths, and resources for aspiring veterinarians.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - AAVMC offers valuable information on veterinary education, accreditation standards, admissions requirements for veterinary schools, and trends in the field of veterinary medicine.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) - JVME publishes peer-reviewed research articles and educational resources related to veterinary medical education and practice. It is a trusted source for scholarly information within the veterinary community.
God Bless,
JC.
Reasons for Choosing to Become a Veterinarian
Becoming a veterinarian is a career choice often stems from a deep love and connection with animals. Many individuals who choose this profession have had experiences similar to yours, where they felt drawn to animals despite not having pets or extensive exposure to them during childhood.
Passion for Animals
Your innate love for animals and the strong connection you feel when in their presence are common reasons why many people decide to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This passion often serves as the driving force behind the decision to become a veterinarian, as it allows individuals to combine their love for animals with their desire to make a positive impact on their lives.
Early Experiences and Exposure
Growing up in an urban setting without pets may have limited your direct interactions with animals, but visits to the zoo or friends’ houses where you encountered animals could have sparked your interest and nurtured your connection with them. These early experiences, even if infrequent, can leave a lasting impression and influence your decision to pursue a career working with animals.
Empathy and Compassion
Many veterinarians share a common trait of empathy and compassion towards animals. This deep sense of care and concern for the well-being of animals drives them to choose a profession where they can provide medical care, support, and advocacy for creatures that cannot always speak for themselves.
Desire to Make a Difference
For aspiring veterinarians, the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals is often a significant motivator. Whether it involves treating sick or injured animals, promoting animal welfare, or conducting research to advance veterinary medicine, the desire to contribute positively to the well-being of animals is a key factor in choosing this field.
In conclusion, your love for animals, even without direct exposure during childhood, combined with your inherent connection with them, likely plays a significant role in your interest in becoming a veterinarian. Many veterinarians have shared similar experiences growing up and have been driven by their passion for animals, empathy, compassion, and desire to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - The AVMA is one of the most reputable sources for information related to veterinary medicine. They provide insights into the profession, educational requirements, career paths, and resources for aspiring veterinarians.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - AAVMC offers valuable information on veterinary education, accreditation standards, admissions requirements for veterinary schools, and trends in the field of veterinary medicine.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) - JVME publishes peer-reviewed research articles and educational resources related to veterinary medical education and practice. It is a trusted source for scholarly information within the veterinary community.
God Bless,
JC.
Updated
mansour’s Answer
While many veterinarians may have grown up with pets or on farms, there are certainly others who, like you, developed a deep love and connection to animals despite limited exposure in their childhood. Some veterinarians have shared similar experiences of not having pets growing up but feeling a strong kinship with animals when given the opportunity to interact with them. These individuals may have cultivated their passion for animals through visits to the zoo, volunteering at animal shelters, or even watching wildlife documentaries.
Ultimately, a genuine love and empathy for animals can come from various sources and experiences, and not having pets in childhood does not diminish the sincerity of your connection to the animal kingdom. It's this inherent bond and desire to care for animals that often motivates people to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Ultimately, a genuine love and empathy for animals can come from various sources and experiences, and not having pets in childhood does not diminish the sincerity of your connection to the animal kingdom. It's this inherent bond and desire to care for animals that often motivates people to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
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Bonnie’s Answer
Hello Sanaii, I can relate to your current situation because I've been there myself. The only difference is that I had a background in raising animals for Agriculture and shows, and I also had my own pets. When the time came for me to go to college, I chose to major in pre-veterinary studies, with a strong emphasis on biology and other relevant courses for this field. Despite excelling in these subjects in high school, college presented a different level of challenge, and I soon realized I lacked the necessary knowledge for this field. An excellent alternative could be becoming an animal care technician, although it comes with a different pay scale. I would advise you to take a closer look at the college curriculum and evaluate if it's something you can manage, both mentally and physically. Wishing you all the best!
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Cassandra’s Answer
I was blessed to grow up surrounded by a diverse array of animals and frequently indulged in activities like hiking or visiting the zoo. This field became my choice as I yearned to make a positive impact by assisting those living beings who are unable to fend for themselves. Remember, you don't need firsthand experience with animals to cherish them and desire to nurture them. Possessing empathy for all creatures is a wonderful trait that anyone, regardless of their background, can proudly hold.
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Charlotte’s Answer
This is a great question! I’m not a veterinarian, but I was a licensed veterinary technician for 10 years and it was an amazing experience. Having said that, working in the veterinary field is very difficult, and many veterinarians I’ve worked with have questioned their choice- long hours, not the best pay, and a lot of very emotional pet owners. I think before you make any commitments, you should definitely get some animal handling experience. You can look into volunteering at a local animal shelter, but I would highly recommend for the most relevant experience that you reach out to local veterinary clinics and ask if they’re hiring kennel assistants. Both of these might depend on your age -often the minimum age is 16, but it can vary. Most of what you’ll do is cleaning, laundry, and sometimes equipment maintenance, but you’ll get to observe a lot of what happens behind the scenes and often you will be asked to help with the animals-walking dogs, feeding kittens, etc. it will also allow you to ask questions of the veterinarians and staff you work with. Good luck!