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Veterinarians
are like doctors for animals. They make sick critters better through
medication, treatment, and surgery. So if you like working
with animals, don't mind the sight of blood, and have a heart to heal, this could be the career for you.
Veterinarians
can work in many areas:
Small
Animal Veterinarian—To work in this field you'd
most likely have an office and be your own boss. Patients might range from cats to hermit crabs. You'd have a lot of hands-on responsibilities, including performing surgeries,
giving shots, and setting broken bones.
Research
Veterinarian—If you like the idea of working in a laboratory, being a research vet would
be your thing. Instead of working directly with animals, you'd
be running tests on blood, tissue, and DNA samples, to check for diseases and stuff.
Large
Animal Veterinarian—This type of vet deals mostly with horses, cows, bulls, and sheep. So if you
like being on the farm or in the barn, and aren't intimidated by
animals more than twice your size, this may be the job for
you. In this area in particular, you'll need a lot of experience, strength, and
patience.
Interview
with Veterinarian: Dr. Pal Rangi
 Dr.
Rangi has adored animals for as long as he can remember. He
was raised in India on a huge farm with horses, cows, and
dogs afoot. At age 10 he even helped deliver a baby calf!
At 16
he entered college, at 20 he started vet school, and by the
age of 24 he was a licensed veterinarian, practicing in the
United States.
"I
really loved working with animals, especially dogs and cats," he says.
Dr. Rangi
worked for five years under two other veterinarians which
gave him lots of experience and clientele (business). So when
he opened his own practice at the age of 29, he'd already established a good reputation.
"My
practice was small at first, but as people heard about me
and my gift with animals, it started to grow."
Today
he has a busy practice where four-legged friends are his primary patients.
While he especially loves handling canines, there's always a risk. "I've been bitten more times than I can count," he says.
In fact, to stay protected, he gets a rabies shot every few years.
But Dr.
Rangi has had many incredible moments, too.
"One time a labrador was brought in. The owners had been told it had congestive
heart failure and should be put to sleep," Dr. Rangi recalls. After
he ran some tests, he learned the dog had 35 tumors in
her spleen. Because she was in such bad shape, he gave her only a five percent chance of survival.
But a miracle happened. Fur real! The dog not only made it through the
surgery, she lived five additional years.
So what are
his best suggestions for those who want to become veterinarians?
"Study
hard. Get good grades. And make sure you have a strong love
for animals."
What You Can Do to Get Ready:
As in Dr. Rangi's case, you'll definitely
have to attend college and then vet school. In the meantime
though, you can call your local veterinary clinic, animal
shelter, or humane society about volunteering. This
will give you hands on experience. Who knows? It might even land
you a job or internship in the future.
What it Pays:
Depending on your
job choice (private practice, the lab, or down on the farm),
your yearly salary will be anywhere from $39,020 to a whopping
$118,000 or more! Pretty good pay for helping animals all day.
Other
Resources:
Talk
To The Vet—An awesome place to learn about a variety of animals and the vets who treat them.
A
Day In The Life Of A Vet—A fun way to see what
an actual veterinarian does on a daily basis.
Careers
In Animal Research—Go behind-the-scenes in the animal research field.
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