Academic Requirements
In many ways, the qualities of a good veterinarian are similar to those required of any good doctor who practices on humans. A strong desire to do the job is required before undertaking the lengthy studies needed to be awarded a degree in veterinary medicine and qualify to use the title of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
This is especially true when one considers that only a few universities have veterinary schools that offer degrees that meet American Veterinary Medical Association standards – there are only 28 such university veterinary schools that meet the criteria. As a result, there are often some 6,000 applicants for less than 3,000 seats on the courses.
To be accepted, candidates have to have successfully concluded at least one year of study in organic & inorganic chemistry, plus physics, general biology; and have completed one semester of vertebrate embryology and biochemistry. A minimum of college level calculus is required to meet entry level mathematics requirements.
Preference is usually given to applicants with previous experience of working with animals in some capacity – such as assisting at a veterinary clinic or working with animals on a farm. Interestingly, around 80% of the students admitted these days are female.
The full veterinary course takes around 4 years to complete and much of the study is similar to that undertaken by trainee doctors in human medicine. However there is a big difference once the course has been successfully completed. Unlike doctors of human medicine, who move on to further post graduate training (residency, etc); veterinarians must be equipped to become a fully efficient animal physician literally on the day they graduate.
Registration And Licensing
Freshly qualified Vets In Chicago have to pass the North America Veterinary Licensing Exam before they can enter commercial practice. This exam has 360 multiple-choice questions and practical tests for diagnostic skills. Candidates have 8 hours in which to complete the exam.
Working In Animal Medicine
Having shown the desire and perseverance to qualify, all Vets In Chicago and anywhere else worldwide obviously have to show a demonstrable rapport for animals but this has to be tempered by a certain amount of pragmatism. Then, there is the question of which type(s) of animals do veterinarians seek to specialize on? Should they choose elephants; there will be a severe shortage of work for them in the Chicagoland area – unless they can find direct employment with the likes of zoos and circuses (but, even then, they would probably be expected to know how to care for a wider variety of animals, birds, fishes and reptiles). Small animals kept as domestic pets would be a more profitable choice for new Vets In Chicago.
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