Today’s veterinarians have been trained to protect both the health and well-being of animals and humans. They are committed to ensuring that every animal’s welfare and health are met. They also play a critical role in public health, environmental protection, food safety, and research.
Protection of the health and well-being of society and animals
There are many areas of employment for veterinarians, including teaching and research, clinical practice, teaching, regulatory medicine, and public health.
Private or corporate clinic
The United States has approximately two-thirds (or more) of its veterinarians working in private or corporate clinics. They provide veterinary care for many species. Many veterinarians only treat exotic or traditional pets, such as cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and fish. Some vets only treat horses. Some veterinarians treat all species. Some veterinarians specialize in the care of farm/ranch animals. They also advise owners about the production of medicine and how to protect our nation’s food supply.
Research and teaching
Professors of veterinary medicine teach veterinary technology students, medical professionals, scientists, and veterinary students. Faculty members of veterinary college conduct research, teach, care for animals in the teaching hospital, and create continuing education programs to assist practicing veterinarians with new skills and knowledge.
Researchers veterinarians working in universities, colleges, government agencies, and industry are discovering new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent human and animal health disorders. They have made important contributions to human health. They have made many important contributions to human health, including the discovery of yellow fever and malaria control, the development of an anticoagulant that can be used to treat heart disease in some patients, and the identification of West Nile virus infection. They also created and refined new techniques, such as permanent artificial legs and treatments for joint disease.
Regulatory medicine
Federal and state regulatory agencies employ veterinarians to inspect and quarantine animals that have been brought into the United States. This is done to prevent foreign diseases from being introduced into the country. They oversee interstate and international shipments of animals, test for diseases that could affect animal or human health, and manage campaigns to prevent and eliminate diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis that can pose a threat to human and animal health.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, or a state agricultural department, ensures that only healthy animals are allowed into our food supply. Through carefully monitored inspections, they ensure that meat, poultry, and eggs are safe for consumption.
Public health
To investigate outbreaks of animal and human diseases such as food-borne illness, influenza, and rabies, veterinarians are epidemiologists. They ensure safety at food processing plants, restaurants, water supply, and other facilities. Many of them serve in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is a group of veterinarians, studies the effects pesticides and industrial pollutants have on humans and animals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is where veterinarians assess the safety and effectiveness of medications, medical products, and food additives. The U.S. also has veterinarians. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Institutes of Health, NIH, and their National Library of Medicine are all examples of Veterinarians.
Uniformed services
The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps veterinarians protect the country from bioterrorism. They are responsible for food safety and veterinary care of government-owned pets. Research is conducted by officers with special education in laboratory animal medicine, pathology, or microbiology.
The U.S. Air Force has a Biomedical Science Corps that employs veterinarians as public health officers. They are responsible for managing occupational illnesses, foodborne diseases, and communicable disease prevention programs at Air Force bases all over the world. They promote public health by monitoring disease trends and ensuring food safety practices.
Other professions
Animal welfare, zoologic and aquatic medicine, aviation medicine (shuttle astronauts), shelter medicine, wildlife medicine, and animal-assisted therapy and program programs are all areas in which veterinarians are involved. Veterinarians are involved in the development of laws to protect the well-being, health, and welfare of both animals and humans.
How to become a veterinarian
To be able to study pre-veterinary coursework at college or university, students should excel in biology and general science in junior high school. Students must complete the university-level undergraduate prerequisites before applying to a veterinary school or college. Each school or college of veterinary medicine has its own requirements. These include basic language and communication skills and the completion of courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics.