Careers for Kids_ Veterinarian _ Learn about the job of a veterinarian

Careers. Veterinarian. Do you enjoy spending time with and taking care of animals? If so, becoming a veterinarian might be the career for you. Veterinarians are animal doctors who care for pets, farm animals, zoo animals, or even wild animals. Which means that veterinarians are the ones who keep animals healthy and treat them when they are sick or hurt. Vets utilize the same tools that doctors do when caring for and treating animals, and learn the same types of skills, like suturing and performing surgery. Like other doctors, veterinarians can specialize in different areas of medicine. Some focus on treating certain species of animals, while others specialize in a specific field, like surgery, dentistry, or emergency medicine. Veterinarians work in places like animal hospitals or zoos, and some may work in labs to study animal diseases. There are many career possibilities when you become a vet. What does it take to become a veterinarian? The short answer is lots of school and practical training. After graduating high school, a science-based bachelor's degree, like biology, chemistry, or animal science, is strongly encouraged. After that, you have to apply for a doctor of veterinary medicine, or DVM program. This is another four years of school. After that, veterinarians who want to gain more specialized experience can pursue internships, residencies, or veterinary research training. Sound interesting? You can start pursuing your interests by taking science classes in school, and by volunteering at your local animal shelter. Or, if you know a veterinarian, ask them what they enjoy about their job, and what challenges they might face. The more information you gather, the better prepared you'll be for your future. Veterinarians are a vital part of caring for the lives of animals. Maybe one day you will be the doctor that saves the life of an animal who needs help, or makes an exciting medical breakthrough in the field of veterinary medicine. Hope you had fun learning with us. Visit us at learnbright.org for thousands of free resources and turnkey solutions for teachers and homeschoolers.