Veterinarian

By Ethan Kienzle

Duties and Responsibilities

• Examine animals to diagnose their health problems.

• Treat and dress wounds.• Test for and vaccinate against diseases.• Prescribe medication.• Ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the

health on food animals.

Work Environment

• Although most veterinarians work in private clinics, others travel to farms, work outdoors, or work in laboratories.

• Veterinarians risk being bitten, kicked, or scratched.

• Veterinarians often work long hours.

Education

• Veterinarians must complete a Doctor Medicine degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine.

• The professional curriculum is a 4 year course of study• Students hoping to partake in this field should have their

undergrad in Biology or another science related field such as Animal Sciences.

• This is a very competitive field

Schools That Offer Programs

• Des Moines Area Community College• Dordt College• Eastern Iowa Community College District• Hawkeye Community College• Iowa State University• Iowa Western Community College• Kirkwood Community College• Western Iowa Tech Community College

Salary

• The average yearly salary varies slightly when comparing it nationally to the average in Iowa.

• National: $82,000 Iowa: $69,100

• Veterinarians who handle large animals exclusively generally had higher earnings. Some earned $150,000 or more per year.

Benefits Veterinarians Receive

• 30 day paid vacations• Paid sick leave• Health and dental care at no cost• Low cost health care for their families• Low cost life insurance• Paid holidays

• Educationnews.org• Wiki Answers.com• Discover• Occupational Outlook Handbook• Iastate.edu

Bibliography