# data[].attributes.body
The word veterinarian came from Latin that means working animals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dental Planet is open for business. You may place orders with confidence.

# data[].attributes.headline
Who are some famous people with this career?

# data[].attributes.subject
Who are some famous people with this career?

# data[].attributes.body
Some famous vets are Elinor McGrath, Buster Lloyd-Jones, Louis J, and Patricia O'Conn.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Folks who adore animals can often point to an experience that first sparked their interest. While the specific sources of inspiration can vary, veterinarians drive some of our most memorable animal experiences. It's because of their contributions that we can visit zoos, read books delving into animal behavior, and become good pet owners.

Insight from vets wasn't always as available as it is today. You might wonder exactly how we arrived at our current state of veterinary medicine.

One of the best ways to learn more about how veterinary medicine developed is to take a look back in time. From James Herriot to Mary Knight Dunlap, these famous veterinarians can kick off your history lesson.

8 Famous veterinarians animal lovers should know

Veterinary medicine has come a long way. The field wouldn't be as advanced as it is today without the pioneers who paved the way for modern-day vets. Let us introduce you to eight notable veterinarians and explain the impact they had on the industry.

1. Claude Bourgelat

Veterinary medicine as we know it would not exist were it not for Dr. Claude Bourgelat. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports he founded the first veterinary school in Lyons, France, near the end of 1761 after years of work to establish the necessary reputation and connections.

Dr. Bourgelat initially planned to pursue a law career but could never shake his love for horses. He began to study with two surgeons to learn about animal pathology, physiology, and anatomy. Dr. Bourgelat eventually formulated plans to open a veterinary school when he realized there wasn't any degree offered that could adequately prepare someone to practice veterinary medicine.

Focusing on preventing livestock disease was one of Dr. Bourgelat's primary motivations for establishing vet schools. A deadly disease called rinderpest was incredibly common at the time. Though Dr. Bourgelat didn't live to see the end of this veterinary health concern, it was officially eradicated in 2011.

2. Bernhard Lauritz Frederik Bang

To say Danish Veterinarian Dr. Bernhard Lauritz Frederik Bang was an overachiever would be an understatement. He had a knack for languages, studying Latin, Greek, English, French, and German. He also obtained degrees in both human and animal medicine.

Dr. Bang grew increasingly interested in zoonotic diseases and became involved in scientific research. His efforts led him to discover the type of bacteria that causes brucellosis, which can lead to miscarriages for cows and flu-like illness for humans. He was also among the first to demonstrate the importance of heating milk to kill bacteria.

For his contributions to human and animal health, Dr. Bang was awarded numerous honorary degrees. He also became an honorary member of the International Veterinary Congress in 1932.

3. Elinor McGrath

Little is known about the first women veterinarians. Though Dr. Mignon Nicholson is the first known female veterinary school graduate, no records of her practicing exist. Then there's Dr. Florence Kimball, who turned to nursing shortly after pursuing her veterinary degree.

Though there are still some unanswered questions about Dr. Elinor McGrath, we do know she graduated from veterinary school in 1910. She began a small-animal practice in Chicago, IL, shortly after. While this is a pretty typical route today, it was much more common for veterinarians to focus on farm animals in the early 20th century.

Dr. McGrath went on to marry a fellow veterinarian. She shared her veterinary medical knowledge at the 1933 World's Fair and was appointed Assistant Illinois State Veterinarian in 1939.

4. Buster Lloyd-Jones

Known as one of history's most compassionate veterinarians, Dr. William Llewelyn "Buster" Lloyd-Jones opened his home to all manner of creatures during World War II. Families were forced to leave their pets behind as they evacuated, so Dr. Lloyd-Jones purchased an estate to house all of them. His veterinary practice was incredibly successful at this time, even serving Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones focused more heavily on writing later in his life as his own health declined. He penned an autobiography as well as a sequel.

Natural remedies were a big focus for Dr. Lloyd-Jones. After noticing how animals would seek certain plants to heal themselves, he founded Denes Natural Pet Care to make high-quality foods and herbal products more available.

5. Louis J. Camuti

Feline-only veterinarians weren't always so easy to find. We can thank Dr. Louis J. Camuti for helping to change this.

After his family emigrated from Italy, Dr. Camuti was raised in New York City, NY. Though he began a small-animal practice once he obtained his veterinary degree, Dr. Camuti realized the feline portion of his business was growing substantially. He eventually transitioned to a feline-only, house-call practice.

Dr. Camuti practiced for 60 years and, according toThe New York Times, sometimes visited up to 30 houses per week. He also wrote a few books and a regular column featured in a feline veterinary journal.

6. Patricia O'Connor

Though Dr. Patricia O'Connor completed her education decades after Dr. McGrath, female veterinarians were still extremely rare. According to the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), only .8 percent of graduates from vet schools in the US and Canada were women between 1930 and 1939.

Dr. O'Connor didn't just pave the way for women veterinarians, but also for those specializing in zoo animals. She became a full-time veterinarian at New York's Staten Island Zoo in 1942 and practiced for nearly 30 years.

Clinical practice was only part of what Dr. O'Connor achieved. She also founded the AAZV, where she served as president two times, and penned a highly respected bibliography of the most reputable sources on a wide range of wild animal diseases.

7. James Herriot

Some veterinarians mention James Herriot's book series, including All Creatures Great and Small, when asked what inspired them to pursue veterinary medicine. The books feature autobiographical elements that continue to resonate with animal lovers today. One notable element that's not true-to-life is the byline featured on every book.

Herriot's real name was Dr. James Alfred Wight, who opted to use a penname as a way to maintain his privacy. Fans eventually discovered Dr. Wight's true identity.

Dr. Wight continued to practice veterinary medicine in the North Yorkshire area of England, even after his books found success. Some think Dr. Wight's writing is responsible for advancing the veterinary profession.

"It is arguable that James Herriot has done more for his veterinary colleagues than any television series ever did for the mainstream branch of the medical profession," Maeve Binchy wrote in a book review for The New York Times.

8. Mary Knight Dunlap

There isn't a whole lot Dr. Mary Knight Dunlap didn't accomplish during her career. She ran a house call practice, cared for a number of animals at a zoo, worked for a toxicology department, and authored numerous publications.

One of Dr. Dunlap's most lasting contributions to the veterinary profession was founding the Women's Veterinary Association (WVA). The organization was primarily intended to help create a supportive and collaborative environment for women veterinarians at every stage of their careers-including students. Though the organization no longer exists in the same capacity, it's now in the form of a foundation that provides scholarships to deserving students.

Follow the lead of these famous veterinarians

We certainly owe a great deal of thanks to these famous veterinarians from the past. Their contributions have helped improve animal care in just about every setting. Perhaps they've even inspired you to start thinking about how you can take your love of animals to the next level.

If you're curious about what a career caring for animals is really like, you might want to delve a little deeper into what veterinary medicine looks like today. You can learn more by reading our article, "What Is a Veterinarian? Uncovering the Role of Animal Doctors."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
James Herriot and 7 Other Famous Veterinarians Who Inspire Animal Lovers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Folks who adore animals can often point to an experience that first sparked their interest. While the specific sources of inspiration can vary, veterinarians drive some of our most memorable animal experiences. It's because of their contributions that we can visit zoos, read books delving into animal behavior, and become good pet owners.

# data[].attributes.body
Vets really benefit society by the well being of the animals. Vet help heals other people’s animals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Veterinarians are essential health professionals. They are people who have gone through the four walls of a higher institution to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge and training to be able to treat animals. But their contribution to society is more than just treating cats and dogs. Vets offer more than that.
So, how do veterinarians contribute to society?
Veterinarians are trained personnel that treat and ensure that animals are in good health. These animals range from pets and those in the wild, including zoos. And by protecting and ensuring the wellbeing of animals, vets are contributing immensely to society. The benefits of animals include food, clothing, research, education, companionship, and recreation. So, veterinarians help to ensure public health, food safety, research, and protection of our environment.

Continue reading for more information on the topic!

Different Ways Veterinarians Contribute Immensely To Society

Veterinarians contribute to society in diverse ways. I earlier mentioned ways they contribute to society as protection of the environment, ensuring public health, food safety, researches, and educating the public.

So, the question many would be asking is, how do these help to better our society? How do vet doctors contribute positively to society via these means? Let's take a quick look at some critical explanations for this.

1. Research and education

Veterinarians engage in research for the benefit of society. The research may be about animals but are invariably crucial to humans. Through their findings, they can educate the public, find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases.

As a pet owner, you cannot deny that the instructions from your vet made managing your pets much simpler. So, think about what would have happened if there were no veterinarians to offer such advice. Things would have been worse, and most of us may end up losing our pets.

But through research, veterinarians were able to come up with best practices that would ensure the health and wellbeing of animals. They educate the public about their findings to ensure animals, irrespective of whether they are pets or in the wild, remain in a good state of health.

Vets also help to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. Their findings help people in society to take precautionary measures to avoid being infected by such diseases. An example of such zoonotic disease (diseases that spread from animals to humans) that was catastrophic is Ebola.

In the case of Ebola, veterinarians teamed up with other health experts to identify the structure, as well as the mode of transmission of the disease. Their research also helped to tackle the spread of the deadly virus.

However, Ebola is just one of many cases that shows how vital veterinarians are to society. They have always been massively involved in the spread of information and treatment of zoonotic diseases, including other illnesses that affect animals.

2. Assist livestock farms and farmers

Animals serve as sources of food for humans. We consume them as meat and for other purposes. To the livestock farmer, a veterinarian is a helper. Without their expertise, going into livestock business would have been difficult.

When a veterinarian identifies a diseased animal that could infect other animals on the farm and advise the farmer on what needs to be done, and they could immediately quarantine and treat the animal in isolation.

So, vets help livestock farmers to remain in business. And with the livestock farm flourishing, there will be a regular supply of healthy meat to the society, and those working on the farm will not lose their means o livelihood.

3. Food safety

The availability of safe food is what keeps every society going. Individuals will be hail and hearty and would be more productive. Veterinarians, together with other health experts, play a significant role in ensuring food safety. So, they are invariable helping society by making sure that food, which is essential to every human, is safe for consumption.

At the farm, veterinarians collaborate with farmers to ensure that animals are kept in the most hygienic state. They suggest the best farm practices to farmers to ensure nothing goes wrong.

In abattoirs, veterinarians may suggest safe ways to slaughter and process animals for consumption. The early detection and treatment of diseases is another way veterinarians contribute to society.

Veterinarians provide training, advice, and information to livestock farmers on ways they can prevent, control, and eliminate any food safety hazard. These include pesticides and drug residues, environmental contaminants, including mycotoxins. Vets ensure that animal feeds are safe for the animals too. Hence, their presence is highly needed in animal husbandry, feed production, and drug-producing firms.

They also ensure the effective and safe use of veterinary drugs and biological products. An example includes antimicrobial used in livestock farms or animal husbandry. Through their intervention, the risk of animals developing any antimicrobial resistance to the veterinary drug is reduced to the barest minimum. Another role vets play in society is ensuring that food, particularly those of animal origin, is without drug residues.

4. Protect the environment

Animals help to save our planet. So, they are vital for a healthy environment. Let's consider dogs, for example. They help dig up and expose the soil to air and burying food, including bones, wherever they dig up.

When dogs place bones and food into the soil, they are invariably helping to enrich the environment. Besides dogs, other animals help to protect the environment. But by and large, all animals play a critical role in the ecosystem.

Some animals help to pull out nutrients from the cycle, while there are some that help in the carbon cycle, decomposition, and nitrogen cycle.

Now let's take a look a look at how some animals help to ensure the stability of the environment.

Dogs: Dogs make a great companion, but outside that, they also provide other benefits that make life easy for humans. One feature that makes dogs beneficial to our environment is their high sense of smell. This extra sense of smell they have can help researchers in diverse ways, such as identifying animals and plants that could be used for further research work. They are also popularly used by law enforcement agents to detect bombs and individuals carrying illegal drugs.

Bees:Bees help with pollination, so are responsible for most of the food we consume. In short, they help in the pollination of one-third of the foods we consume.

Sea lions: These sea mammals are super intelligent and useful. You can train them to monitor conditions deep down the sea. Sea lions can also travel (deep down the sea anyway) to places that would be too risky for humans. And in most cases, scientists attach specialty equipment on them to monitor factors like water pressure, salinity, including temperature.

The thing is every animal has something to offer. In other words, all animals contribute somehow to the sustainability of the planet. And what veterinarians do is ensure that animals, whether wounded or sick, are given proper treatment. Even the ones captured and kept in zoos are taken proper care of by vets to ensure they remain alive and healthy.

5. Public health

Veterinarians get themselves involved in everything that concerns food safety. They even go as far as issuing health certificates to producers so that food exported to other countries will have the required standard and be accepted. The document indicates that the product satisfies both food safety and animal health standards, too.

Another incredible way vets ensure public health is the inspection of slaughterhouses. They inspect live animals before slaughter (ante-mortem) and the carcass after slaughtering (post-mortem).

However, the inspection helps vets to sustain their surveillance network, which allows them to identify zoonotic and other animal-related diseases before things get out of hand. From their findings, they educate people on how to identify or avoid being infected by these zoonotic diseases.

The inspection that veterinarians carry out in slaughterhouses helps to ensure that animals slaughtered, including their byproducts, are suitable for their intended uses. If they are not, the vets may notify the health bodies to take action in the best interest of those in society.

What Would Happen If We No Longer Have Veterinarians?

Most professionals do not get enough accolades from the people they claim to serve, and vets are one of them. We may not realize the importance of having veterinarians around until we require their services.

For the records, vets are more than helpers to dogs and cats. I know the first thing that comes to mind when our precious pets get sick is to visit a vet clinic. But here's what you should know, vets, play more critical roles in society than treating cats and dogs.
So what would happen if we no longer have vets?

Pets will no longer enjoy the help they get when they fall sick or get injured. The pet owners would be affected emotionally and have to deal with an unhappy pet.

Abused animals won't have someone to stand in for them.

Humans will not be able to prevent, eliminate, or detect zoonotic diseases, which could wipe out the entire human race or a large population of people.

Livestock farmers will no longer get the help they seek to ensure the wellbeing of their animals.

Conclusion

So, now you know the answer to the question, "how do veterinarians contribute to society?" The bottom line is vets are essential and play a crucial role in our environment. Besides treating and providing information regarding the management of pets, they also contribute immensely in ensuring public health, food safety, and protection of our environment. So, veterinarians are important people and should have respect they deserve.

You May Like These Articles As Well:
Why Are Psychiatrists Called Shrinks? How Much Does It Cost To Get FDA Approval? Is It Illegal To Not Have Health Insurance?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Do Veterinarians Contribute To Society? - The Freeman Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Veterinarians are essential health professionals. They are people who have gone through the four walls of a higher institution to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge and training to be able to treat animals. But their contribution to society is more than just treating cats and dogs. Vets offer more than that.

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the salary range for this career?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the salary range for this career?

# data[].attributes.body
Hourly-$47    Weekly-$1,899    Monthly-$8,229  Yearly-$98,752

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Within 25 miles of Ashburn, VA

By clicking the button above, I agree to the ZipRecruiter Terms of Use and acknowledge I have read the Privacy Policy, and agree to receive email job alerts.

*Salary estimates (ZipEstimate) are not verified by employers; actual compensation can vary considerably. To learn more about Compensation Estimates, please see our FAQ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Q: How Much Do Veterinarian Jobs Pay per Hour in 2020?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Within 25 miles of Ashburn, VA By clicking the button above, I agree to the ZipRecruiter Terms of Use and acknowledge I have read the Privacy Policy, and agree to receive email job alerts. *Salary estimates (ZipEstimate) are not verified by employers; actual compensation can vary considerably.

# data[].attributes.body
If you were a vet you would need a: IV pumps, x-ray machine, stethoscope, veterinary tables, bright lights, Anesthesia machines, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Veterinary Equipment: What You Need When Setting Up a Clinic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Just as with any profession, there are certain pieces of equipment every veterinarian must acquire before a new vet practice can open and animals can start receiving treatment. These tools, devices and technologies allow vets to provide stellar, efficient medical care to pet-patients and must not be overlooked when putting together your clinic equipment purchase list.

# data[].attributes.headline
Where would you work? (company/location)

# data[].attributes.subject
Where would you work? (company/location)

# data[].attributes.body
I would work for Associate Veterinarian  (Associate / Resident Vets)Dog and Cat Hospital. Location in San Diego.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Veterinarian Jobs, Employment in San Diego, CA | Indeed.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
48 Veterinarian jobs available in San Diego, CA on Indeed.com. Apply to Veterinarian, Internal Medicine Physician and more!

# data[].attributes.body
Vet help take care of animals. They diagnose animals to try to see what is wrong with the animal. Vets also try their best to treat the animal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Veterinarians held about 84,500 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of veterinarians were as follows:

Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Others travel to farms or work in settings such as laboratories, classrooms, or zoos.

Veterinarians who treat horses or food animals travel between their offices and farms and ranches. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather and may have to perform surgery, often in remote locations.

Veterinarians who work in food safety and inspection travel to farms, slaughterhouses, and food-processing plants to inspect the health of animals and to ensure that the facility follows safety protocols.

The work can be emotionally stressful, as veterinarians care for abused animals, euthanize sick ones, and offer support to the animals' anxious owners. Working on farms and ranches, in slaughterhouses, or with wildlife can also be physically demanding.

Injuries and Illnesses

When working with animals that are frightened or in pain, veterinarians risk being bitten, kicked, and scratched. In addition, veterinarians working with diseased animals risk being infected by the disease.

Work Schedules

Most veterinarians work full time, often working more than 40 hours per week. Some work nights or weekends, and they may have to respond to emergencies outside of scheduled work hours.

Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college, as well as a state license.

Education

Veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. A veterinary medicine program generally takes 4 years to complete and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical components.

Admission to veterinary programs is competitive. Most applicants to veterinary school have a bachelor's degree. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken many science classes, including biology, chemistry, and animal science. Most programs also require math, humanities, and social science courses.

Some veterinary medical colleges prefer candidates to have experience such as previous work with veterinarians in clinics, or working with animals on a farm, at a stable, or in an animal shelter.

In veterinary medicine programs, students take courses on animal anatomy and physiology, as well as disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 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.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Veterinarians must be licensed in order to practice in the United States. Licensing requirements vary by state, but prospective veterinarians in all states must complete an accredited veterinary program and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.

In addition to passing the national exam, most states require that veterinarians pass a state licensing exam. However, veterinarians employed by state or federal government may not need a state license, because government agencies differ in what they require.

Each state's exam covers its laws and regulations. Few states accept licenses from other states, so veterinarians usually must take exams for the states in which they want to be licensed.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program, which allows foreign graduates to fulfill the educational prerequisites for licensure.

Personality and Interests

Veterinarians typically have an interest in the Building and Thinking interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws.

If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking interest which might fit with a career as a veterinarian, you can take a career test to measure your interests.

Veterinarians should also possess the following specific qualities:

Compassion. Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners. They must treat animals with kindness and respect, and must be sensitive when dealing with the owners of sick pets.

Decision-making skills. Veterinarians must decide the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals. Deciding to euthanize a sick animal, for instance, can be difficult.

Interpersonal skills. Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who must be able to discuss their recommendations and explain treatment options to animal owners and give instructions to their staff.

Management skills. Management skills are important for veterinarians who are in charge of running private clinics or laboratories, or directing teams of technicians or inspectors. In these settings, they are responsible for providing direction, delegating work, and overseeing daily operations.

Manual dexterity. Manual dexterity is important for veterinarians, because they must control their hand movements and be precise when treating injuries and performing surgery.

Problem-solving skills. Veterinarians need strong problem-solving skills because they must figure out what is ailing animals. Those who test animals to determine the effects of drug therapies also need excellent diagnostic skills.

The median annual wage for veterinarians was $95,460 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,080, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $160,780.

In May 2019, the median annual wages for veterinarians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most veterinarians work full time, often working more than 40 hours per week. Some work nights or weekends, and they may have to respond to emergencies outside of scheduled work hours.

Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Increases in consumers' pet-related spending are expected to drive employment in the veterinary services industry, which employs most veterinarians.

Veterinary medicine has advanced considerably. Today's veterinarians are able to offer many services that are comparable to healthcare for humans, including more complicated procedures such as cancer treatments and kidney transplants.

Job Prospects

Overall job prospects are expected to be very good.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Veterinarians held about 84,500 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of veterinarians were as follows: Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Others travel to farms or work in settings such as laboratories, classrooms, or zoos. Veterinarians who treat horses or food animals travel between their offices and farms and ranches.

# data[].attributes.body
The education requirements to become a vet is you´ll complete a four-year undergraduate degree and you will have to also earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Maybe you've wanted to help animals your whole life, or maybe you just realized you want to practice veterinary medicine recently. Now that you've landed on this career path, you need to know which types of skills, degrees, and certifications you need to become a veterinarian. In this guide, we'll clearly lay out all the answers to your most pressing veterinary career questions.

What Skills Do You Need to Have?

To be a successful veterinarian, you'll need to have a passion for helping animals live better and happier lives. You should have a general interest in medicine and healing, and you should also have a scientific, analytical mindset that allows you to incorporate lots of information. There are a variety of skills you'll hone along your path to becoming a full-fledged veterinarian, but here are a few of the core disciplines you'll need to start honing now if you want to pursue veterinary medicine in the future:

1. Anatomy

An understanding of basic animal anatomy is essential to becoming a successful veterinarian. During high school, it might be hard to find courses focusing specifically on animal anatomy, but as soon as you start pursuing your undergraduate degree, you'll gain access to animal anatomy courses that aspiring veterinarians just like you will be taking to hone their skills.

2. Biology

The more you understand about biology, the better you'll be able to pursue your career path as a veterinarian. A vet's day-to-day professional life focuses more on animal behavior and common animal maladies, but understanding the core principles of biology will prepare you for the specialized studies you'll need to undertake as part of your career path.

3. Animal Behavior

Understanding how animals behave is one of the core aspects of being a veterinarian. Since animals can't speak and tell us what's wrong, veterinarians need to learn how to recognize the non-verbal cues animals provide that can relate information on their symptoms and underlying conditions.

What Degree Do You Need?

To become a full-fledged veterinarian, you'll need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree and earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. This degree is commonly abbreviated as a DVM or a VMD, and it takes four years to earn.

In some cases, a DVM program might accept applicants who haven't completed their undergraduate degrees. To be eligible for one of these special programs, you must pursue veterinary-related courses during the first two or three years of your undergraduate studies. Once you've entered your DVM program, you'll study subjects including:

* Veterinary practice

* Animal health and disease

* Veterinary psychology

* Gross anatomy

* Radiology

* Parasitology

* Pharmacology

Do You Need Any Certifications or Licenses?

Veterinarians everywhere in the United States must be licensed to practice legally. You can only acquire your veterinary license after you have completed an accredited DVM program, and you'll also have to pass a certification exam. A variety of entities provide certification exams for aspiring veterinarians, but the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is considered to be the best exam for easy certification.

How Long Does Veterinarian Training Take?

In most cases, you will need to study for eight years to become a veterinarian. During your first four years of studies, you'll pursue an undergraduate degree that includes coursework related to your desired career. Then, you'll spend four more years pursuing your DVM degree.

In most cases, it's possible to take your exam and become licensed immediately after you complete your DVM program. Keep in mind that your DVM program will involve intensive training in clinical environments. In this training, you'll gain on-the-job experience and meet contacts who will help you further your career after you graduate.

If you make it into an accelerated program, you may be able to complete your DVM and become certified in six or seven years. To do so, you'll need to cut your undergraduate degree short and enroll in a special DVM program.

How Much Will You Make as a Veterinarian?

In 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that veterinarians made an average salary of $93,830. The lowest 10 percent of veterinarians made $56,540, and the highest 10 percent made an average of $162,450. These statistics show that there is immense pay variation within the veterinary medicine field; depending on where you practice and your experience, your annual salary could vary by as much as $100,000.

What Are Your Job Prospects as a Veterinarian?

The BLS reports that the veterinary industry is growing much faster than the average growth rate of all industries in the United States. While most jobs are projected to grow by seven percent between 2016 and 2026, veterinary jobs are expected to grow by 19 percent during this same window.

These statistics indicate that it's a great time to become a veterinarian. Even if you start on your career path today, there will be far more jobs open when you're done in eight years than there will be in other disciplines. In 2016, there were only 79,600 veterinary jobs in the United States, but in 2026, there will be 94,600.

How Do You Find Work as a Veterinarian?

The contacts you make during your studies will play a key role in your ability to find a job once you graduate. During your clinical studies, you'll meet a lot of veterinarians who already work in the field, and some of them might work in large companies that are seeking to add more human assets.

Even if you decide to open your own practice immediately after graduating, knowing people in the field will help you with professional networking and support. Knowing the colleagues you will interact with at conferences before you graduate will be a huge plus. If you're unable to start your own practice and none of your contacts pan out, you can always apply for open veterinary positions in your area.

Related Articles
What Degree Do You Need To Be A Vet Tech

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Degree Do You Need To Be A Veterinarian

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Maybe you've wanted to help animals your whole life, or maybe you just realized you want to practice veterinary medicine recently. Now that you've landed on this career path, you need to know which types of skills, degrees, and certifications you need to become a veterinarian.

# data[].attributes.body
.The first known vet training came in 9,000 BC in the Middle East. Between 4,000 – 3,000 BC, medical treatment of animals became more and more common but, still very undeveloped.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The history of veterinary medicine has seen tremendous change over the past 100 years. It's hard for us to remember that there was a time, not that long ago, when cats, dogs, rabbits, and other domestic animals weren't cared for by a veterinarian.

In fact, it wasn't until the early 1900s that pets began to more commonly receive medical care. Horses that were the primary focus of veterinary medical care, though, as they also served a function as transportation.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services explores ways the field has changed and how far the history of veterinary medicine has come!

The Early Roots of Veterinary Medicine

The first known veterinary practice came into being in 9,000 BC in the Middle East. Sheep herders used rudimentary medical skills to treat their animals, which included the dogs that watched over their herds. Thousands of years later, in Egypt between 4,000 - 3,000 BC, medical treatment of animals became more common, but was still largely undeveloped. Ancient humans began domesticating cats, fowl, and dogs, and their owners considered them as members of their household-like many of us do today.

In approximately 1,900 BC, someone captured the first written accounts of veterinary medicine in four sacred Hindu texts. Within these texts, two distinct writings outlined the fields of human and animal medicine. Millennia later, in 1850, archaeologists discovered fragments of an ancient veterinary medical textbook made of papyrus. This text covers diseases relating to birds, cattle, dogs, and fish. Horses were the primary focus of ancient medical care as they were economically important for transportation, agriculture, and trade.

The Last Few Centuries of Veterinary History

In the 1760s, Claude Bourgelat established the first school of veterinary medicine in Lyon, France. Popular modern thought is that this was the founding of veterinary medicine, despite some level of animal medicine predating 9,000 BC. With the opening of the school in France, the scientific study of veterinary medicine was officially born.

As human medicine flourished and progressed through the last few centuries, so did veterinary medicine. In the 1700 and 1800s, we discovered treatments for cholera, Typhoid fever, and tuberculosis. We could then apply those treatments to protecting farm animals from these same deadly diseases. In Britain, the field of veterinary medicine had its roots in the Odiham Agricultural Society. The Society was the first to apply scientific principles to the treatment of animals. From there, another institution was born, the London Veterinary College, in 1791.

In America in 1863, the American Veterinary Medical Association came into being as a way to promote the field. Its purpose was to oversee the advancement of veterinary medicine and its practitioners. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a Veterinary Medical Branch in 1965 to oversee veterinary pharmaceuticals. It later became the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The work of the CVM is still essential in that it oversees regulations relating to food, medicine, and other products for animals.

The Rise of Technology

Despite these advancements, only in the past 30 years has there been a huge shift in veterinary medicine. We've moved away from a focus on medical care only for livestock. Veterinarians opened thousands of animal hospitals devoted to the care of cats and dogs and other small pets. These small, furry creatures have moved into our homes and hearts and have family status.

Advancements in veterinary technology and diagnostics continue to improve our ability to detect diseases early. This motivated regular wellness exams to catch help prevent disease or detect it early. Wellness and preventive care allows us to give our pets a better chance of good health and a higher quality of life. Using tools like digital radiology, advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment, and pharmaceuticals, we are better equipped to successfully treat them and keep them living longer.

Attitudes about animals and their status have also prompted changes in how we view wellness care. It now includes things such as dental cleanings, grooming, and alternative treatments like massage and acupuncture. Thirty years ago, the only veterinary equipment for diagnosis was the x-ray. We now have digital x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, advanced laboratory testing, laparoscopic technology, and more.

Anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring for animals has also made leaps and bounds, making surgery safer and more effective for our pets. With a better understanding of animal pain, we are able to manage pain and discomfort in our pets with new medications and alternative therapies. New treatments for cancer mean we can frequently give pet owners much more time with their pets, and give the pets a good quality of life during those extra months or years.

Along with these medical changes, technology now enables us to communicate with our patients in ways that increase speed, convenience, and efficiency. Texting, online booking, apps-we're much more connected. There is no aspect of veterinary medicine or care that has not changed. The use of new technologies continues to increase the speed of change. Those changes make it possible for us to care for our animal companions with increasing success.

The team at OVRS is amazed to consider the history of veterinary medicine and its ongoing evolution. We are at the forefront of veterinary medicine and take full advantage of medical and technological advances. Our specialists push those boundaries to ensure that our patients have the best care available. If you have any questions relating to our therapies and services, please do not hesitate to call.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Retrospective: A Brief History of Veterinary Medicine

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The history of veterinary medicine has seen tremendous change over the past 100 years. It's hard for us to remember that there was a time, not that long ago, when cats, dogs, rabbits, and other domestic animals weren't cared for by a veterinarian.