Becoming a Vet

Source: USA Today

Most of us were encouraged by our families. We ate up the attention and adulation as any kid might. Too bad life's obnoxious bystanders never failed to counter the familial cocoon's happy thoughts with sad little stories about geniuses forced to enter medical school after veterinary schools rejected them. To veterinary dreamers like us, these cautionary tales grated like nails on a chalkboard. It made us so much better equipped to tilt at all those unsuspecting windmills.

We dreamed of saving tigers from extinction with our knowledge of molecular biology. Armed with artificial-insemination guns, we cleared jungles with the stench of our resolve. We envisioned better lives for cows in confinement. Once and for all we would singlehandedly abolish the slavery that is vealdom. We imagined shelters full of cats and dogs looking deep into our eyes and just knowing we were trying to help them.

Yes, of course I know more than a few vets who see their work as a means to an end, their retirement never far from their field of vision (or the nearest golf course). But most of us still toil in a world where helping animals goes hand in hand with enjoying a simultaneously challenging and pleasant life as guardians of their health and well-being.

It's a worthwhile career my colleagues and I are lucky to practice — especially as we near the end of 2009. Now that the concept of pets as family has finally arrived, now that animals are treated to health care options that approximate humans', now that the validity of our animal agricultural machine is being deeply questioned by a broader coalition than ever before, now that animal welfare is no longer synonymous with PETA.

We're really making inroads into how we treat animals. The level of veterinary care for all animals — not just pets — has never been higher. So for those of us who truly love science and animals, this career is nothing short of heaven.

Others seem to agree with me. Which is probably why many people's first response when they learn I'm a veterinarian is, "You must be really smart," or "Isn't it impossible to get into vet school?" and "You're so fortunate!" or "I always wanted to be a veterinarian." Yet getting into veterinary school is not as hard as people make it out to be.

The number of U.S. programs is in the high 20s. More than 2,500 students make it into U.S. schools each year. Exceptional overseas programs accept many qualified U.S. students every year. Better yet, the numbers are going up. New schools are being established. Programs across the country are growing. Yes, we need more good vets, which means we need more candidates, which means we need more dedicated animal people (of all ages and all backgrounds, not just the twenty somethings with biology degrees).

But I worry: How many would-be veterinary students are not preparing, not planning, not competing, not striving for fear they don't fit the mold or won't make the cut? All the cautionary tales and horror stories about getting into veterinary school are overblown and dangerous to our profession's ultimate survival. And we're our own worst enemies when it comes to making up excuses. Because, trust me, getting a veterinary education is not the quixotic quest you might think it is.

That's why I strongly encourage people who cherish the concept of a career in animal science (no matter their age), forget the rationalization, remember what it felt like to dream big of animals and embrace the challenge of a career in veterinary medicine.

Date published: 12/17/2009