Love Pets? Have You Considered Careers with Animals?

Many people love animals and dream of becoming a veterinarian. Veterinary programs are fiercely competitive and require many years to complete. There are other careers with animals available. If you love pets and want a career with animals, consider entering an online program in veterinary technology.

What does a veterinary technician do? She greets the pet owner and does an intake on the sick or injured pet. This includes taking a medical history. She will perform lab tests, prepare animals for surgery, take and develop X-rays, clean teeth, and interact with pet owners. Careers with animals require good communication skills. The veterinary technician is often the person the pet owner checks in with on a daily basis when their animal stays at the clinic for an extended period.

There are many job settings for people interested in careers with animals. It may surprise some students to learn that if they train as a veterinary technologist they will also qualify for some human health related jobs.  These include positions in drug and feed manufacturing companies, food safety inspectors, and diagnostic laboratories.

Of course, most students seeking careers in animals want to work with domestic or wild animals. Veterinary technicians are qualified to work in zoos, wild life sanctuaries, and the military service. Most will work for veterinarians but this training opens many doors.

There are many courses available and it is important to do your homework before committing to a college offering veterinary technology. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits programs in both traditional and distance learning settings.  The program must meet their standards and includes a clinical component.  The hands-on part of the program takes place under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. This gives the student both confidence in her coursework and practical real world experience. Careers with animals demand compassion, knowledge, and experience.