A Basic Description of a Veterinarian's Career
A career as a veterinarian is a very rewarding opportunity that enables doctors to protect the health and well being of both animals and humans, alike. Veterinarians care for all species of animals, such as pets, livestock, zoo and laboratory animals.
Veterinary professionals can look forward to addressing and playing a critical role in not only animal health and welfare, but also, environmental protection, food safety and public health.
Nature of the Work
Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal health problems, vaccinate against potential disease, work to alleviate animal suffering, perform surgery and most importantly, educate and advise humans in regards to animal care and behavioral interaction.
In addition, some veterinarians work in basic and applied animal research, broadening our understanding of animal behavior and science, in order to further educate other professionals in their field.
Veterinarians who work in a private or clinical practice should be prepared to work long hours in a sometimes, stressful, noisy environment. Caring for animals is only one part of the job. Pet owners with a sick animal are usually under emotional stress.
Their pet is very much like a family member to them, and they very often look to their veterinarian as both counselor and doctor. If a veterinarian maintains a clinic in a rural area, veterinarian may need to travel to farms and ranches to diagnose and treat horses, livestock and other farm animals.
Professional Opportunities
Aside from teaching and research, veterinarians involved with regulatory medicine have two main responsibilities, including controlling and eliminating diseases and protecting the public from potentially harmful animal diseases.
Additional opportunities may include work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where veterinarians are often called upon to help regulate the safety and security of food products.
Veterinarians who work specifically within the public health sector are called Epidemiologists. Their work includes research, control and the prevention of disease outbreak, for both animals and humans. An Epidemiologist will often find employment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a professional who can determine the effectiveness and safety of medicines and food additives.
The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps has veterinary officers working specifically in biomedical research as well as in conjunction with other military and governmental agencies that play a key role in improving animal care systems throughout the world.
Education and Training
A strong foundation in science, biology and mathematics is an important precursor to entering college and pre-veterinary coursework. The American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education oversees the accreditation of veterinary educational institutions throughout the U.S.
There are strict academic guidelines that a prospective student must follow, including completing additional courses in social sciences, humanities, chemistry and physics.
Employment Outlook
There are over 90,000 veterinarians currently working in the United States. The field is expected to continue to expand at a steady rate, making this sector of the workforce, one of the most stable career paths a person can choose.
According to the U.S. Labor Department, median annual veterinarian wages in 2008 were, $79,050. In March 2009, government employed veterinarians topped the charts with average salaries of, $93,398. Veterinary employment is expected to increase 33% between 2008 and 2018.
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