Becoming A Veterinarian

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Veterinarians can work in multiple locations. Vets work in private clinics, hospitals, farms, ranches, laboratories, slaughterhouses, and classrooms, (Occupational). They have to travel to some of these places and they have to work outside in all types of weather. At private clinics, vets work with receptionists, office managers, kennel assistants, and veterinarian technicians. Veterinarians have an important job, and yet they still have to travel a lot to take care of the animals. Some vets work for themselves, but others work for other groups. “Veterinarians work for schools and universities, wildlife management groups, zoos, aquariums, ranches, feed lots, fish farms, pet food or pharmaceutical companies, and the government…” (Encyclopedia …show more content…
Training for people who want to be vets should start in high school. “Their high school program should include as much college-track work as possible, especially in mathematics, computer programming, and the sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics…” (Rigby and Swope 32). The more difficult classes a student takes will help them prepare for college. Veterinary medicine is a science, so taking science classes in high school will help students later on. It is very difficult to get into a veterinarian school. Vets must have a “B” or higher in their classes, take the Medical College Admission Test or the Graduate Record Examination, most have a bachelor’s degree, and many participate in internships, (Encyclopedia 922). Students have to do a lot of work to be ready to even try to apply to vet school. Pre-vet students want to do their best in college, so they have a better chance to get into a competitive vet school. If a student gets accepted into a veterinarian school, they have four more years of school to complete. “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.” (Occupational). During these four years of college, students learn about the characteristics of many animals and how to take care of them. This schooling teaches students how to properly treat animals. Even after college and vet school, students still have things to do to become a licensed