What Does it Take to be a Veterinarian?
In order to be a veterinarian, I’m going to need to be analyze an animal who is not able to tell me what is hurting or what doesn’t feel right. In order to figure out what’s wrong I must do a physical on the animal seeing if there's anything I can see clearly; that requires me to be analytical. Than I would need to talk to the owner to see if their are any problems that they have noticed like, eating less, not being active, sleeping more, etc. A lack in communication skills could lead me to not figuring out what is wrong with the animal.
In order to be a veterinarian, I’m going to need to be analyze an animal who is not able to tell me what is hurting or what doesn’t feel right. In order to figure out what’s wrong I must do a physical on the animal seeing if there's anything I can see clearly; that requires me to be analytical. Than I would need to talk to the owner to see if their are any problems that they have noticed like, eating less, not being active, sleeping more, etc. A lack in communication skills could lead me to not figuring out what is wrong with the animal.
Hey guys I’m back with another update to my blog series! In my last post I didn’t get to talk about the college I want to go to and what it really takes to be a vet.
College
I really want to go to the University of Florida, my uncle which I talked about in my last post went there. The University of Florida is one of the best schools it is ranked #48 in the nation by the U.S. News College Compass and #12 for the best grad school with veterinary medicine in the country. I have been to private school for the past 2 years and I have found that I do better in a place where the class room is small and at the University of Florida the majority of classes are no more than 25 students.
Because the University of Florida is located in the state of Florida it gives me a huge advantage at finding a job as Florida is the third highest employment for veterinarians earning an average of about $99,950 a year. And with parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom I would be able to find work if I wanted to specialize with exotic animals or zoology. After college and taking honors classes such as biology I’m going to apply to the University of Florida’s vet school. So I can get my DVM and become a vet working either in a practice or maybe even a zoo.
College
I really want to go to the University of Florida, my uncle which I talked about in my last post went there. The University of Florida is one of the best schools it is ranked #48 in the nation by the U.S. News College Compass and #12 for the best grad school with veterinary medicine in the country. I have been to private school for the past 2 years and I have found that I do better in a place where the class room is small and at the University of Florida the majority of classes are no more than 25 students.
Because the University of Florida is located in the state of Florida it gives me a huge advantage at finding a job as Florida is the third highest employment for veterinarians earning an average of about $99,950 a year. And with parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom I would be able to find work if I wanted to specialize with exotic animals or zoology. After college and taking honors classes such as biology I’m going to apply to the University of Florida’s vet school. So I can get my DVM and become a vet working either in a practice or maybe even a zoo.
And without a basic understanding of diseases and other illnesses I won’t be able to help the animal and identify what medicine or surgery I should give in order to cure the animal. Something that many people know and might deter them from becoming a vet is decision making. Every vet needs to quickly make decisions that benefit the animal and may not be what the owner wants to hear. Vets need to be compassionate and understand the animals pain and understand what the owner is going through. What I think might deter people is the fact that at times vets need to make the decision if it is best for the animal to live and figure what is best for the animals quality of life rather than keeping them alive because the owner doesn’t want to let go of the animal. I need to explain this to the owner so they too understand.
Many people have asked me "how do you know you can make this decision?" When I was 11 I got a pet hamster, named Cookie. Yes I know she’s not a dog or something most people expect someone to be so connected to but I got her at 2 weeks old and I raised her (yes no one else but me), I was so excited. Cookie was adorable, she had a huge cage, play pen, and was the most spoiled hamster in the world, she was my first pet I had never had an animal I could hold and play with. Cookie was walking around in her play pen, than when she was sitting I noticed a lump, I picked her up she had a dime sized tumor on her stomach. We rushed her to the vet and told us she had cancer and surgery would cost $600 considering Cookie was on sale for $16 we were stunned. We took her home with plenty of pain relief and hoped for the best as we thought about the possible surgery ahead 2 more tumors emerged. One night I came home from school and checked up on her, (sorry gets a little gross) she bit the tumor on her stomach and bled out. She had lost so much blood she was not able to walk and was dragging her 2 back legs; I couldn’t bare to see her in so much pain. We took her to the vet where I made the decision that she was 2 years old and was in excruciating pain, it was time to let her go.
Many people have asked me "how do you know you can make this decision?" When I was 11 I got a pet hamster, named Cookie. Yes I know she’s not a dog or something most people expect someone to be so connected to but I got her at 2 weeks old and I raised her (yes no one else but me), I was so excited. Cookie was adorable, she had a huge cage, play pen, and was the most spoiled hamster in the world, she was my first pet I had never had an animal I could hold and play with. Cookie was walking around in her play pen, than when she was sitting I noticed a lump, I picked her up she had a dime sized tumor on her stomach. We rushed her to the vet and told us she had cancer and surgery would cost $600 considering Cookie was on sale for $16 we were stunned. We took her home with plenty of pain relief and hoped for the best as we thought about the possible surgery ahead 2 more tumors emerged. One night I came home from school and checked up on her, (sorry gets a little gross) she bit the tumor on her stomach and bled out. She had lost so much blood she was not able to walk and was dragging her 2 back legs; I couldn’t bare to see her in so much pain. We took her to the vet where I made the decision that she was 2 years old and was in excruciating pain, it was time to let her go.
I know sometimes being a vet might be hard, sad even but all I want to do is help as many animals as possible. Giving them the best life that they could even if that means freeing them from their pain.
That’s how I know I can make the decision, I can’t stand to see an animal in pain no matter what it’s the quality of life and if their isn’t one its time to let go.
Vet’s have to take an oath when they get their DVM (Degree of Veterinary Medicine) its basically the the doctorate of the veterinary world. When I get my DVM like all other vets I will take this oath:
“Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.”
Vet’s have to take an oath when they get their DVM (Degree of Veterinary Medicine) its basically the the doctorate of the veterinary world. When I get my DVM like all other vets I will take this oath:
“Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.”