Veterinary Medicine

1. Veterinary Medicine

2. Why People Consider Veterinary Medicine As a Career • Compassion and respect for animals • Interest in science and medical research • Skills and patience necessary for a helping/service profession • Desire to improve the welfare of both animals and humans

3. Veterinary Education • Admission to vet school requires certain coursework be completed but not necessarily a bachelor’s degree. The average successful applicant has over four (4) years of education. • There are 27 veterinary schools in the United States. • There are about 8000 veterinary students in the U.S.

4. Most veterinary schools accept applications on a regional or statewide basis. • Males and females are accepted in approximately a 25/75 ratio. • One’s chances of being accepted on one application are between 12% and 33%. • While admission is difficult, 90% of students who enter will graduate.

5. Admission to the University of Tennessee • Academic profile • GPA • Aptitude test scores • Personal profile • Letters of reference • Autobiographical statement • Experience with animals • Experience with veterinary medicine • Personal interview

6. There Are About 70,000 Graduates in the U.S. Today (1300 in Tennessee) • Currently, 2/3 of veterinarians are male, but this is changing. • Most veterinary school classes are 75% female.

7. Animal Population Figures

8. What Veterinarians Do: • Private Practice • 70% of all veterinarians • 85% of first year graduates are in private practice

9. 100% Pet Practice • 50% of all veterinarians • Income and hours worked (48.8) is average • Tends to be most technologically sophisticated practice group. Most procedures performed on animals were perfected on animals. • Affords many opportunities to practice good medicine • Work is indoors, not physically strenuous and is typically located in urban or suburban areas.

10. Mixed Practice - 20% All Veterinarians • Income below average and hours worked above average. • Tend to be a generalist knowing an amazing lot about many different animals. • Small town lifestyle appeals to many.

11. Large Animal Practice 7% of All Veterinarians • The pay is above average • Tend to be more specialized • Physically more demanding • Get to be outdoors • Exists in rural or suburban areas

12. Regulatory Research Colleges and Universities 5% About 25% of Veterinarians Are Salaried

13. Colleges and Universities • 5% of all veterinarians • Most have post D.V.M. education • Any facility housing experimental animals must have a veterinarian. • Teaching and research

14. Government • Federal government employs about 5% of all veterinarians. • State and local government – 2% • Disease control and regulatory • Food inspection • Research • Starting salary is above average and hours worked are lower. • Regular hours and job security

15. Military • 1% of all veterinarians • Public health and research • Enter as a 1st Lieutenant or Captain • Good benefits • Regular hours

16. Private Industry • 5% of all veterinarians • Research and drug testing • Post DVM education • Excellent salary and benefits

17. Disadvantages of Veterinary Medicine • Starting salary is low ($47,000) compared to the level of education. • Many in private practice resent the attention which must be paid the to business aspect of practicing veterinary medicine. • Veterinarians see more suffering and death than any other segment.

18. Advantages to Veterinary Medicine • Opportunity to help both animals and humans can be very fulfilling. • Above average income ($76,000). • 100% employment. • Above average social status in the community. • Work is non-repetitive.

19. Questions???