What is a Veterinarian and a Career in Animal Welfare?

Veterinary Medicine is a professional discipline in which the person primary responsibility is protecting the health and welfare of the animals and people. Veterinarians also diagnose and control animal diseases, treat sick and injured animals, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to people, and advise owners on proper care of pets and livestock. They ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the health of animals. In addition, they are involved in wildfire preservation and conservation, and the public health of the human population (See The American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org).

In deciding on a Career in Animal Health or Welfare, important points of interests will include the realistic fact that some jobs that involve working with animals will require the imposition of physical infliction on them. Some of the infliction done by people will be necessary but others are usually malicious and unnecessary. There are animal career areas such as in research, testing, breeding, zoos, aquariums, circuses, and even businesses that use animals in the production of food, clothing, cosmetics and drugs. But importantly, there are some specialized fields that involve work with animals, such as: Animal Welfare and Protection; Conservation and Environmental Protection; Wildlife Management; Veterinary Medicine; Services for Pets; and Animal Trainer, among others (Careers Helping Animals at www.humanesocietyu.org).

So there are different animal friendly careers to choose from. The first step is usually to identify your personal job area of interest. Next is to conduct an investigation into the area of interest chosen to discover the educational requirements for your chosen career. The length of study (base on the career path chosen) will vary. Some careers will require a degree or some coursework. It is prudent to access Universities in your country (or State) that will offer coursework in animal ethics, rights, welfare and others, and explore the possible majors available. In the United States, the Humane Society University, for example, is an excellent educational organization for those who are interested in learning more about animal protection, as well as for those who are already working in the field. Essentially, more than just love for animals will normally be required for a career in the Animal Discipline. Experience will also be necessary. Hence, Volunteering will help in this respect for a great opportunity to gain experience. Most wildlife rehabilitation organizations, local animal shelters, and animal clinics rely on volunteer assistance in their daily service to the public (See All in a Day's Work: How to Turn a Love of animals into a Career at www.hsus.org).

Working with animals may not seem to a glamorous and high paying occupation, but those who have pursued a humane career will correctly argue that they gain something much more valuable than fame and financial fortune from helping and loving animals. They enjoy seeing the animals live in joy and happiness, and enjoy the expressed love received from the animals to them.

In America, today there are more than 67,000 veterinarians who are professionally active. They provide a wide variety of services in private clinical practice, teaching, research, government service, public health, military service, private industry, and other areas. In addition, approximately 75% of all veterinarians are in private clinical practice. Of those, about 58% are engaged in exclusively small practice in which they treat only companion animals. Veterinarians in private clinical practice are responsible for the health of approximately 53 million dogs, 59 million cats, 13 million birds, and others animals. More than 3,800 veterinarians are engaged in educating tomorrow's veterinarians at schools and colleges. Veterinary school faculty members also conduct basic and clinical research, provide various services to the public, contribute to scientific publications, and develop continuing education programs to help graduate veterinarians acquire new knowledge and skills (See Roles of Veterinarians in Human and Animal Health at www.avma.org). Those in Scientific Research have contribute to human health by finding cures for such diseases as malaria, yellow fever, botulism, heart diseases and others.

Persons who are interested in a career in animal health and welfare will also need to remember that an aptitude and interest in biological sciences are essential requirements for college study and a long-term academic or research career. They should also be able to meet, talk and work well with variety of people. At some period of their careers, they may have to euthanatize (humanely kill) an animal that is very sick or severely injured and cannot get well. When an animal dies, the veterinarian must deal with the owner's grief and loss. So very good social and psychological skills are necessary in the career.

A Special Area in this Animal Discipline is Animal Behavior. This is the scientific study of everything animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, insects, birds, mammals, fish, or "humans." However, human behavior is more often studied by psychologists, anthropologists, human ethologists or other social scientists. Most scientists directly involved in animal behavior are found in two disciplines: Ethology and Comparative Psychology. The former (Ethologists) are usually trained in departments of biology, zoology, entomology, wildfire, or other animal sciences. Comparative Psychologists are trained in psychology departments. Careers in Animal Behavior include those in College Teaching and Research, Government and Private Research Institutions, Zoo, Conservation Groups, Museums, Applied Animal Behavior, Research Assistants, Veterinarian Technicians, Animal Trainer and others. Some jobs require only a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S./B.Sc.) Degree. However, long-term and academic careers in animal behavior will require additional Masters and Doctoral Degrees (See Careers in Animal Behavior at www.indiana.edu).

Therefore, it is very possible to become a Veterinarian or a Specialized Animal Professional. Different career paths are there to explore. A love for animals is necessary but is not the only requirement. Specialized University or College Training and Voluntary work for experience are essential. The love of working with animals and their owners usually over-ride the emphasis on financial fortune that are normally attached to some of the other occupations. So a career in Animal Health and Welfare can be an excellent choice for the concerned prospective animal specialist.