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Kloie
Student
The Colony, Texas
8
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What is the hardest part about being a vet?
I want to be a veterinarian when I get older so I wanted to ask what are the hardest and easiest parts of the job and what ya’ll see on a regular basis.
#spring25
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Todd Phillips
Retired veterinarian
43
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Todd’s Answer
Kloie,
I was in private practice for over thirty years here in Texas. I think to answer your question, it is important to remember that veterinarians fill many roles, from meat inspectors, to research, to being astronauts on the shuttle and ISS, and many other things. Vets receive some of the broadest, most rigorous training of any health professional, and so can work in about any field they are determined to.
I will answer your question from the perspective of my time in private clinical practice.
I think the hardest part of being a vet was not being able to help the animal that was in front of you and the family that was there. This had many circumstances, from someone that found a stray that needed expensive care & had insufficient funds, to a family pet that the family couldn't afford proper care regardless of how bad they wanted to, to a person that came in to have the pet put to sleep because they didn't want it anymore (I refused more than once).
Veterinarians, of course want to help every animal and person they see. For many that is why they became a vet, their inner altruistic nature. The reality, unfortunately, is no one can save every animal. You can always do your best, and then you have to accept that you have done what you could and move on to the next exam/patient/client. Sometimes the animal just can't be saved due to the condition, but even the largest corporate practice cannot treat every animal regardless of cost or repayment and stay in business. This also includes shelters, which have to pay for care. The electric company etc will not accept "we spent the money for the electric bill on a sick puppy, OK?" A corollary to this is that veterinarians should be there to advocate for the ANIMAL. Sometimes this will conflict with the desires of the client. Conflict is hard.
The easiest part is when you can solve or prevent a problem, and help the animal and client have a better, healthier life. This might be educating someone on a new pet and how to care for it (to keep it healthy), or when someone comes in very distraught and you are able to provide a solution that relieves their anxiety. To strengthen the human animal bond or to reassure someone that the bond will not be severed in the near future is work, but rewarding work.
Good luck on becoming a vet, study hard, practice self care, and actively seek opportunities to see what Vet Med is about.
Contact the admissions office at TAMU and TTU schools of veterinary medicine, if you have not already, and take notes on what they advise. There's your to do list!
I was in private practice for over thirty years here in Texas. I think to answer your question, it is important to remember that veterinarians fill many roles, from meat inspectors, to research, to being astronauts on the shuttle and ISS, and many other things. Vets receive some of the broadest, most rigorous training of any health professional, and so can work in about any field they are determined to.
I will answer your question from the perspective of my time in private clinical practice.
I think the hardest part of being a vet was not being able to help the animal that was in front of you and the family that was there. This had many circumstances, from someone that found a stray that needed expensive care & had insufficient funds, to a family pet that the family couldn't afford proper care regardless of how bad they wanted to, to a person that came in to have the pet put to sleep because they didn't want it anymore (I refused more than once).
Veterinarians, of course want to help every animal and person they see. For many that is why they became a vet, their inner altruistic nature. The reality, unfortunately, is no one can save every animal. You can always do your best, and then you have to accept that you have done what you could and move on to the next exam/patient/client. Sometimes the animal just can't be saved due to the condition, but even the largest corporate practice cannot treat every animal regardless of cost or repayment and stay in business. This also includes shelters, which have to pay for care. The electric company etc will not accept "we spent the money for the electric bill on a sick puppy, OK?" A corollary to this is that veterinarians should be there to advocate for the ANIMAL. Sometimes this will conflict with the desires of the client. Conflict is hard.
The easiest part is when you can solve or prevent a problem, and help the animal and client have a better, healthier life. This might be educating someone on a new pet and how to care for it (to keep it healthy), or when someone comes in very distraught and you are able to provide a solution that relieves their anxiety. To strengthen the human animal bond or to reassure someone that the bond will not be severed in the near future is work, but rewarding work.
Good luck on becoming a vet, study hard, practice self care, and actively seek opportunities to see what Vet Med is about.
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