Veterinarian/Q-A

Q How did you become interested in becoming a Veterinarian?
A I wanted to be able to help people's pets.

Q What personal needs are satisfied by your job?
A I can interact with the animals and avoid a monotonous routine. Every day is different!

Q In what ways has being a Veterinarian changed you as a person?
A It has helped me keep problems in perspective and has made me learn to look for the alternative ways to solve problems.

Q Describe the demands of your job...
A I have very long work days (9 - 14 hours at times) and late night emergencies. It can be emotionally draining and it's hard to schedule personal time because of emergencies.

Q What is a typical day for you?
A I start work at 8:00 a.m. and see routine vaccine/wellness appointments or possibly an emergency surgery. I spend a lot of time on the phone discussing blood work and pets' health care. I leave work around 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Q What personal characteristics are desirable to be good at this job?
A You need communication skills, patience, understanding, a sense of humor, stamina and flexibility.

Q What special knowledge or skill does a person need be a Veterinarian?
A You need four years of college and at least four years of veterinary school. Some people go on to specialize, which requires another four years of specialty training. After graduating from veterinary school, it is necessary to pass a National Board Examination and a State Veterinary Board Exam prior to practicing medicine. Yearly continuing education courses are necessary to keep licensed.



Q Can a person specialize within the field of Veterinary Medicine? Into what areas?
A Yes. You can specialize into all areas of medicine and surgery, microbiology, virology, etc. You can specialize into all the same areas as physicians in the human medical field.

Q What changes are occurring in this field?
A The public is demanding more specialized care, allowing veterinary specialists to evolve into a mainstream part of the medical team.

Q How does the economy impact this field?
A There are certain financial limitations to treating pets. However, more people are willing to budget and dedicate a certain portion of their income to pet care. The human-animal bond has strengthened tremendously and so, as the pets become a part of the family, it is more important to provide quality preventative care to these animals.

Q Do you encounter any problems combining your job with your family life?
A No, but it is necessary to budget time wisely.

Q What advice would you give someone who is planning to enter the Veterinary Medicine field?
A Get exposure at an early point - volunteer or observe at an animal hospital to see what the field entails before you enter your years of study. The curriculum is very intense and grueling and you need to be sure you really want this before you get too far into it. Also, prepare financially; the costs of veterinary school are rising considerably. For more information on becoming a veterinarian, visit the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association web site at [ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]