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Contents
What Is A Veterinarian?
A Veterinarian or a Veterinary doctor is also commonly known as Vet or animal doctors. Veterinarians study veterinary science which deals with the study of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases that occur in different birds and animals.
The most important thing that is necessary for an individual to become a Veterinarian other than their degree and qualification is the deep love, understanding, and compassion towards animals and birds.
These beings do not speak the language that is known to us and cannot possibly tell us what’s bothering them or what exactly is wrong with their bodies like we humans can when we seek treatment for an illness from our doctors.
Hence a very deep understanding, kindness, and compassion towards animals and birds are of great importance other than the required educational qualifications are considered to be necessary to become a Veterinarian.
Veterinarians treat both domestic animals, pets, farm animals, and other kinds of animals that are suffering from any sort of illness. Vets can choose to work in the urban areas where they will primarily be dealing with the treatment of domestic animals, pets in animal husbandry, or government-aided animal health care centers.
They can also work in rural areas with farm animals if they choose to do so.
Listed below are some of the responsibilities of a Veterinarian.
- Examining animals.
- Performing surgeries in case of a major injury or complication.
- Treating and dressing their wounds.
- Conducting routine checkups.
- Providing preventive measures like vaccination.
- Providing emergency care to the animals in need.
- Educating the owners of the pets ways in which they could care for their loved ones better.
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Skills Required To Become A Veterinarian
As mentioned above the basic virtues of kindness, compassion, understanding, and love are of great importance in making a good veterinarian along with these virtues some other key skills and qualities are required to be a good vet.
During the course of their degree veterinarians are going to learn many different aspects of the animals and birds in detail for eg- their diet, parasites that they have a high possibility of becoming a host to, vaccines, surgeries, medical conditions, and requirements, commonly contracted diseases, etc.
Along with this knowledge listed below are the skills that can be helpful to an aspiring veterinarian.
- Empathy, genuine approach, and compassion towards animals.
- Passion for the betterment of animal health and welfare.
- Good communication skills can be useful to have a meaningful interaction with the owners of the pet.
- Technical aptitude and good knowledge and understanding of the machinery that would be required for treating the animals.
- Time management and good organizational skills.
- Diagnosis skills.
- Lab research skills.
- A piece of good knowledge of the medical field.
- Teamwork.
- Good understanding of scientific literature.
What Are The Different Types Of Veterinarians?
There are various categories and subtypes of veterinarians. Some of them are listed below.
- Equine Veterinarians
Equine veterinarians are known for treating the ailments specifically in horses.
- Research Veterinarians
Research veterinarians are involved in researching and finding out new ways of diagnosis and surgical developments in the field.
- Companion Animal Veterinarians
Companion animal vets usually treat cats, dogs, and other pets and domestic animals they work within private hospitals.
- Food Animal Veterinarians
Food animal vets normally work in rural areas with the farm animals
- Food Safety & Inspection Veterinarians
Food safety and inspection vets primarily do research work with studies and help to prevent the transmission of diseases which can spread through animals and can harm other animals as well as human beings in some cases.
How Do You Become A Licensed Veterinarian?
Bachelor’s & GRE
In order to become a veterinarian, an individual must first hold a bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields- animal behavior, biology, mathematics, chemistry, or physics. Then they should go for their GRE or graduate record examination. They must also try to gain experience in working with and treating animals.
Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Students must then complete their Doctor of veterinary medicine course which spans through 4 years and in the final year of the course the students undertake supervised clinical practice which mostly takes place in zoos, animal farms, hospitals, and veterinary clinics.
Licensing Examination
The next step is to undertake and pass the licensure examination in the state in which they wish to start and continue their practice. The common exam is conducted by the National Board of Medical Veterinary Examiners.
Training & Certification
Students must choose their specialization and start practicing and pursue their certification for training.
Top 5 Veterinary Scholarships In 2020
Going for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is an expensive affair but the huge financial investment must not discourage an aspiring veterinarian from pursuing their dream career.
The solution to this problem is veterinary scholarships which students aspiring to get their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from a good college should apply for.
These scholarships can help the students to fully or partially fund their education in due course. Unlink student loan scholarship grants aren’t supposed to be paid off later.
The students can use their grant money to pay for their coursebooks, tuition fees, and other related expenses. These scholarships are provided by businesses, not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions like schools and colleges, medical institutions, etc.
Some of the scholarships are country-specific for eg- Veterinary scholarships in North America. Some of the scholarships are regional while some are specific to a few colleges only.
But here we are going to list down-
1. Zeotis/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship Program
This scholarship is specifically meant for the students who are in their 2-3 years of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). This scholarship is given to 300 students each year and the grant which is received through this scholarship is of $2000
2. Pet Life Today Empathy for Animals (EFA) Scholarship Award
Undergraduate students who are studying veterinary science, animal science, or any other similar program can apply to the Pet Life Today Empathy for Animals (EFA) scholarship award. Even internationally students can apply for the scholarship.
3. Oxbow Animal Health Scholarship Program
The Oxbow Animal Health Scholarship Program is a scholarship program for undergraduate students who have the ambition of pursuing their careers as Companion Animal Veterinarians.
4. American Veterinary Medical Foundation Scholarship
The students who are in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) course and are studying in one of the accredited colleges in the USA can apply to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation Scholarships.
5. American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship
The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship also is known as the AHVMF offers the chosen students a scholarship grant of $1500 and the Lorraine Tiekert Scholarships offers the chosen candidate of the scholarship the grant amount of $25000.
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