| Beaver County Times
The love humans feel for animals is nearly universal. The role that veterinarians and their staff play in supporting the loving bond between people and their pets has been magnified during this pandemic.
With so many people currently experiencing reduced employment and reevaluating their work lives, which have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, now is a good time to explore fields that allow you to work with animals. If you have ever thought/said, “I wish I would have gone to veterinary college or a vet nursing/technician/client support program,” perhaps a career in veterinary work could allow you to find a purposeful career in these challenging times.
Even if you have training in another field, there are roles that you may be able to fill in a vet clinic setting that are in the fields of marketing, administrative work, accounting, client relations, data entry, records and reception.
Almost everyone I meet, both outside the workplace and at the veterinary clinic, comments on how fortunate I am to be able to work with animals. My passion and dream became a reality for which I feel immensely grateful every day. After 34 years, my work has not become stagnant but has evolved into an increasingly fulfilling, lifelong learning endeavor.
When I observe people complaining about unfulfilling careers, my appreciation for my work is amplified.
Though many of my staff and I feel very passionate about our work, it is important to recognize that the veterinary and animal career worlds are not all about rainbows, butterflies while skipping along with baskets full of kittens and puppies.
Having an affinity for animals is only part of the equation when looking into making a career out of working in an animal care support role.
For example, loving animals enough to work with them while they are having diarrhea, vomiting, acting grumpy and painful and dealing with anxious and worried pet parents requires love, compassion, patience and tolerance for both humans and their companions.
Recently an employee at my animal hospital commented that many of his friends tell him that he has their “dream job.” When they express their envy over his career, he quickly sets the record straight and explains all the challenges which come with the rewards.
Those challenges include working through breaks and lunches when emergencies and sick pets arrive, staying past scheduled hours for add-on cases, counseling owners through end-of-life decision making and having to multitask to attend to multiple cases and client requests.
If you are someone who can do the aforementioned and desires to assist people and their companions, easing suffering and improving the lives of our animal angels, then visiting some vet clinics with posted job openings for support staff could help you decide if a vet career is for you.
You may also seek employment with on-the-job training.
Many veterinary offices provide training for non-board licensure positions including reception, client service representative, veterinary assistant, kennel attendant, administrative and scribe positions.
High school-aged students can find veterinary assisting certification programs through their high school technical affiliate programs. These are wonderful opportunities for on-the-job training which often lead to excellent career stepping stones, for employment as a vet assistant, with valued skills.
Some VA students will find satisfying careers as veterinary assistants, while others continue may choose to continue their studies as veterinary technicians.
The technician programs range from 18-month programs to full four-year college degree programs, depending on the institution. These graduates can sit for Pa. State Board Licensure as veterinary technicians.
Currently, many veterinary clinics are seeking LVTs, from recent grads to highly skilled vet techs.
LVTs may apply for opportunities in small animal, exotic and large animal veterinary practices, wildlife rehabilitation, zoos, animal behavior practices, university and research programs and animal conservation careers.
To learn more about the rewards of a career as a vet technician, you can read stories from superstar vet technicians here: https://www.dvm360.com/view/10-vet-tech-superstars-follow.
For high school and non-traditional students who want to become licensed or certified veterinary technicians, with the designation of LVT, RVT or CVT, there are several college and technical programs with accreditation through the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).
It is imperative that people who want to become licensed, with increased earning potential, study in an accredited school. Non-accredited program graduates cannot sit for board licensure.
You can explore all the accredited veterinary technician licensing programs here: https://www.avma.org/education/accreditation/programs/veterinary-technology-programs-accredited-avma-cvtea.
If you have the desire to become a veterinarian and can commit to a longer seven to eight-plus year educational plan, you can find more information at the following site, including a list of accredited veterinary colleges in the USA: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/yourvet/veterinary-training.
Many veterinary offices offer mentoring and shadowing programs to interested students to gain experience and insights regarding veterinary careers.
My office has offered mentoring to thousands of students on their path to becoming vet assistants, LVTs and veterinarians.
If you have desire to work in the veterinary field, learn more about job opportunities, apply for an internship, externship or other explore veterinary careers, you may contact ellwoodvet@outlook.com, Attention HR Department.
Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic you’d like to have addressed, email ellwoodvet@msn.com.
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