Turn your love of animals into your life's calling by entering the field of veterinary medicine. With three distinct professional classes and varying career requirements, there's a job title to match your desire and abilities.
Animal Doctors: Veterinarians
Veterinarians are the most intricately trained professionals in the industry. You must obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a state license in order to practice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 28 colleges nationwide that are professionally accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Specialties include pathology, dentistry, radiology, surgery, and anesthesiology.
Right Hand Professionals: Vet Techs
Veterinarian technicians and technologists perform health-critical duties at the direction of a veterinarian. Technicians must complete a two-year associate's degree, while the requirements for technologists dictate completion of a four-year program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 131 veterinary technology programs nationwide that are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The curriculum features lessons on diagnostic equipment and testing procedures, anatomy and physiology, and pharmaceuticals.
For the Love of Animals: General Animal Care
Animal care workers include groomers, trainers, and zoo caretakers. The veterinary career requirements vary with each position, but none require a formal college degree. Pet groomers typically complete a ten-week apprenticeship program at one of the 52 licensed grooming schools across the country. The Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association, and the National Animal Control Association offer courses in animal caretaking that address a wide variety of challenges that you'll face on a daily basis.
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