Do you have a household pet or have you considered owning a pet? In 2012 it was estimated that nearly 62% of households in the United States owned at least 1 pet. Not surprisingly, the most commonly owned pets are cats and dogs followed by birds, fish and other reptiles. The medical providers responsible for taking care of such a large population of animals are called veterinarians, or vets.
Vets are medical providers who care for the health of animals. This includes providing services such as an annual check ups, vaccinations and preventative care such as flea, tick and heartworm prevention, spay and neuter services and dental care. Vets typically work extended hours in order to meet the needs of the pets they serve and the pet owners. It’s not unusual to see vet offices, such as the Humane Society of Huron Valley, open into the evening and on the weekends.
While most veterinarians work in offices and clinics, some also have to travel in order to see the animals they are treating. This is especially true in rural areas where a vet may have to travel to a farm to treat animals such as cows or horses. Vets that don’t work in offices might be seen working in aquariums and zoos to make sure that the animals there are kept healthy. Vets also commonly perform surgeries such as spaying and neutering, setting broken bones and even cesarean sections, when necessary.
In order to become a vet, one must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree which takes 4 years to complete. Vet schools in the United States are very competitive and only 1 of the 3 people who apply are accepted. All states require that a vet be licensed and they must pass a national board exam. Vets all over the country are an essential part of our society as they protect and care for the animals we have come to love. Many take on the role of helping to protect our communities by providing educational services on the importance of vaccinations, preventative care and neutering. While the schooling is intense and the hours spent working can be chaotic, being a vet is a very rewarding career for animal lovers.