Americans love their pets, making
veterinary care big business. Thirty-nine percent of all households in
the U.S. have one or more dogs. Thirty-three percent have at least one
cat. That's 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats in the U.S., most of
which receive some form of veterinary care.
In fact, according to statistics from the American Pet Products Association, dog owners spent an average of $225 on routine veterinary visits annually, while cat owners spent $203 in 2009-2010. Those numbers add up to more than $12 billion annually.
Licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians are in high demand--a trend that should continue through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects 36 percent growth in employment of veterinary technologists and technicians from 2008 to 2018, and 33 percent growth for veterinarians.
Given the numbers alone, veterinary care could be a smart career choice. And if you're enthusiastic about both science and the well-being of animals--whether pets, livestock, or wild--a veterinary career could offer the opportunity to apply your passions to an in-demand occupation.
Grooming yourself for a career through veterinary school
Admission to veterinary schools offering a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) can be competitive. While some schools are more competitive than others, statistics suggest that it's more difficult to get admitted to veterinary school than to medical school. There are only 29 accredited schools in the U.S. that offer DVM degrees and are accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
If you're not daunted by the numbers, you'll want to make sure you fulfill the prerequisites you'll need to apply. Many schools require significant college coursework (45 to 90 hours) as a requirement for admission. However, because of the competitive nature of admissions, students applying with a bachelor's degree in science and high GRE scores stand the best chance of gaining entry.
Online degree programs offer flexibility for would-be vets
A DVM isn't the only path toward working in veterinary care. Veterinary technicians and technologists perform vital roles in the care of animals, assisting veterinarians and providing basic medical care, such as administering vaccines and drawing blood. Workers for these positions are in particularly high demand as the country faces a shortage of licensed veterinarians.
The good news for veterinary technicians and technologists is that educational opportunities are more plentiful than for veterinarians. Technicians generally complete a two-year degree, typically through vocational and community colleges, while technologists complete a four-year degree. Other programs include certificates and diplomas.
Each of these options is offered online. Online veterinary school courses generally utilize video instruction, as well as state-of-the-art, web-based technology, so that students can take classes on their own schedules. Online veterinary school programs are often less expensive than their campus counterparts, meaning that students can see a higher return on investment once they enter the workforce.
Typical veterinary school classes online include:
Many veterinarians and technicians work in private practices treating pets--about 80 percent, according to the BLS--but there are actually a wide variety of career opportunities in veterinary care. Some veterinarians work for the federal government to control diseases like West Nile virus (carried by mosquitoes) and avian influenza (carried by birds). Veterinarians who treat livestock are in particularly high demand. In fact, there are often federal and state incentives for veterinarians who work in rural areas in food supply veterinary medicine.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can also choose from a wide range of other professions:
Wages for veterinary care professionals typically reflect the amount of education required. In 2009, the mean annual salary for veterinarians was $90,110, with the top ten percent earning $142,910. The mean annual wage for veterinary technicians and technologists was $30,580, with the top ten percent earning $43,080.
Turning a love for animals into a career
While veterinary care can be physically and emotionally taxing, it can also be extremely rewarding for people who care about the well-being of animals. Given the high demand for professionals in the field, there's little question that a veterinary school education can pave the way toward a lasting career.
In fact, according to statistics from the American Pet Products Association, dog owners spent an average of $225 on routine veterinary visits annually, while cat owners spent $203 in 2009-2010. Those numbers add up to more than $12 billion annually.
Licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians are in high demand--a trend that should continue through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects 36 percent growth in employment of veterinary technologists and technicians from 2008 to 2018, and 33 percent growth for veterinarians.
Given the numbers alone, veterinary care could be a smart career choice. And if you're enthusiastic about both science and the well-being of animals--whether pets, livestock, or wild--a veterinary career could offer the opportunity to apply your passions to an in-demand occupation.
Grooming yourself for a career through veterinary school
Admission to veterinary schools offering a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) can be competitive. While some schools are more competitive than others, statistics suggest that it's more difficult to get admitted to veterinary school than to medical school. There are only 29 accredited schools in the U.S. that offer DVM degrees and are accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
If you're not daunted by the numbers, you'll want to make sure you fulfill the prerequisites you'll need to apply. Many schools require significant college coursework (45 to 90 hours) as a requirement for admission. However, because of the competitive nature of admissions, students applying with a bachelor's degree in science and high GRE scores stand the best chance of gaining entry.
Online degree programs offer flexibility for would-be vets
A DVM isn't the only path toward working in veterinary care. Veterinary technicians and technologists perform vital roles in the care of animals, assisting veterinarians and providing basic medical care, such as administering vaccines and drawing blood. Workers for these positions are in particularly high demand as the country faces a shortage of licensed veterinarians.
The good news for veterinary technicians and technologists is that educational opportunities are more plentiful than for veterinarians. Technicians generally complete a two-year degree, typically through vocational and community colleges, while technologists complete a four-year degree. Other programs include certificates and diplomas.
Each of these options is offered online. Online veterinary school courses generally utilize video instruction, as well as state-of-the-art, web-based technology, so that students can take classes on their own schedules. Online veterinary school programs are often less expensive than their campus counterparts, meaning that students can see a higher return on investment once they enter the workforce.
Typical veterinary school classes online include:
- Introduction to animal sciences
- Animal anatomy and physiology
- Animal nutrition, reproduction, and aging
- Veterinary office management
Many veterinarians and technicians work in private practices treating pets--about 80 percent, according to the BLS--but there are actually a wide variety of career opportunities in veterinary care. Some veterinarians work for the federal government to control diseases like West Nile virus (carried by mosquitoes) and avian influenza (carried by birds). Veterinarians who treat livestock are in particularly high demand. In fact, there are often federal and state incentives for veterinarians who work in rural areas in food supply veterinary medicine.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can also choose from a wide range of other professions:
- Animal caretakers
- Dog groomers, handlers, and trainers
- Zoo and aquarium employees
- Horse trainers
Wages for veterinary care professionals typically reflect the amount of education required. In 2009, the mean annual salary for veterinarians was $90,110, with the top ten percent earning $142,910. The mean annual wage for veterinary technicians and technologists was $30,580, with the top ten percent earning $43,080.
Turning a love for animals into a career
While veterinary care can be physically and emotionally taxing, it can also be extremely rewarding for people who care about the well-being of animals. Given the high demand for professionals in the field, there's little question that a veterinary school education can pave the way toward a lasting career.
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