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ServicesLaser Light Therapy Other ServicesAdoptable Animals | Working With Animalsby Dr. Dawn Bookmyer, DVM Many youngsters dream of growing up to be a veterinarian, and since I was once one of those kids myself, it’s not unusual for me to allow a student to “shadow” me at the clinic for a day. Sometimes, at the end of a long day in the trenches, I suspect that some of these kids will be rethinking their career options. But for many kids – and adults – the desire to work with animals never goes away. Let’s look at a few of the most common jobs in animal care: Registered Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Assistant. Don’t confuse these two positions – there are key differences! A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is a graduate of an accredited educational program. RVTs are legally permitted to perform more complex procedures than veterinary assistants, and are able to work with less supervision. There has been a shortage of RVTs in recent years and the demand for RVTs remains fairly high. The training of a veterinary assistant is often not formal and many assistants learn their skills “on the job.” While many veterinary assistants are very talented, they are restricted in what procedures they may perform and are not able to work as independently as RVTs. Nevertheless, an experienced assistant is a welcome asset on any veterinary staff. Groomers. There is a high demand for experienced pet groomers. While some groomers may learn their skills informally, most are graduates of a grooming school. Many schools offer an intensive program that allows students to earn a certificate or degree within a year. Kennel workers, pet sitters, doggie day care and dog walkers. There is high demand for people to take care of the family pet when no one else can. These jobs could be part time or full time, and while no formal education is required, animal handling experience would be extremely helpful. Veterinarian. A veterinarian’s education includes four years of undergraduate work, followed by a minimum of four years of veterinary school. The competition for admission to veterinary school can be very stiff; there are only 31 vet schools in the U.S. and as many as 4 applications for each available spot. The demand for veterinarians has remained fairly high over the years. This is just a small sampling of the opportunities available to those who want to work with animals. And although these positions may vary in many ways, they all require the same basic qualities: a love of animals and excellent people skills. I would encourage those who are seriously thinking of a career in animal care to consider doing volunteer work at a shelter or with a rescue group. This would not only be a great chance to get some animal handling experience, but to meet and talk to professionals in your field of interest. Most people are more than happy to talk about the pros and cons of their jobs, and to offer advice to those who are just getting started in animal care. |
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