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How can I get into veterinary studies with little to no experience ?
I am currently a Junior in high school. I haven't had any experience with animals however, this year starting in November I will be going to an internship at an animal site. What are some step I can take to get more involved in animal studies.
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Autumn’s Answer
Get kennel or shelter experience getting desensitized to animals if you’ve never been around them is probably a good place to start. You need to get comfortable being around them no matter what type of environment they are in or that you’re in with them kettle and shelter dogs and cats are completely different than they are at home. They are on edge and full of anxiety and a lot of the times they’re mean, but that’s not the case every single time but being in that environment where they feel threatened or trapped in a kennel or unsafe at all, they can react negatively so you need to get comfortable about around animals that have the potential to react. Any veterinarian I’ve ever worked with were fearless when it came to handling animals And you can start gaining that experience now not needing a degree or veterinary school or technician experience shelters and kennels take volunteers all the time even some of them will pay you to be a part-time on the weekends
Thank you so much!
Sydney
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Amie’s Answer
I also agree with volunteering at your local shelter or a big rescue organization to get some hands-on experience. You'll learn a lot more than you expect! When I was in high school, I did short internships. One was at a veterinary clinic where I watched a dog's tooth being removed under anesthesia. The other was at my local zoo, spending the day with goats, sheep, and antelopes. Try to think creatively and reach out to any place related to animals, like an aquarium, pet store, or dog boarding facility, to see if they have volunteer or shadowing opportunities. You've got this!
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Sydney,
In the US, becoming a veterinarian involves getting a graduate degree (DVM). You would first have to earn an undergraduate degree (4 years) before you can apply to Veterinary School (4 years). You can get a bachelors in any major you enjoy. Many students opt for something in the biological or chemical sciences or animal science or zoology. You also need to pass a number of pre-requisite courses.
So, you'll have 4 years of time to get more experience with animals. You can volunteer at an animal rescue. You can volunteer with a veterinarian in your area or even get certified as a veterinary assistant to get more hands-on experience. That would also give you a job opportunity while you study. You could also work on a farm during breaks if you intend to work with larger animals in your practice.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/schooling-required-to-be-a-vet
https://www.avma.org/education/veterinary-school-admission-101
https://www.aavmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VMCAS_2025_ApplicantGuide.pdf
In the US, becoming a veterinarian involves getting a graduate degree (DVM). You would first have to earn an undergraduate degree (4 years) before you can apply to Veterinary School (4 years). You can get a bachelors in any major you enjoy. Many students opt for something in the biological or chemical sciences or animal science or zoology. You also need to pass a number of pre-requisite courses.
So, you'll have 4 years of time to get more experience with animals. You can volunteer at an animal rescue. You can volunteer with a veterinarian in your area or even get certified as a veterinary assistant to get more hands-on experience. That would also give you a job opportunity while you study. You could also work on a farm during breaks if you intend to work with larger animals in your practice.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Eric’s Answer
I was hired into vet med with no experience. I spent seventeen years as a veterinary nurse. Keep your options open; while being a veterinarian is a great goal, it's not for everyone, and you can get involved now without making any deep commitments. While you're in high school: volunteer at a shelter and try to get a job at a clinic. Volunteer hours can be really flexible and often involve stuff like socializing with animals and walking dogs. Super easy and also gets you used to dealing with pets that maybe have some more complicated issues. My clinic hires high school students to come in after school a couple days a week to do dishes, clean kennels, etc. This is good work experience, though it isn't glamorous, very little of vet med is. Schedule is going to be a bit more rigid - you're going to have to be on time and presentable. But, you will meet vets and nurses and be able to see what they do. We let highschoolers help hold, draw up vaccines, stuff like that if they want to help more. Don't undervalue yourself: volunteer experience is great, but you should get paid for your work, even if it's just menial work, don't "volunteer" at a clinic. Above all, just read read read. Nothing can be taken away from you. You'll only make yourself a more well rounded person and a better animal person in general. (bonus: any good animal hospital will have a copy of Sophia Yin's Low Stress Handling and will let you read it - that one's a little expensive to go buy)
Volunteer (low commitment)
Get a job at a clinic (higher commitment)
Read anything and everything you can get your hands on (no commitment)
Eric recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice!
Sydney
Updated
Brandie’s Answer
Apply at a local veterinary clinic, shelter or rescue. Volunteer if needed. You may not be able to start at a Veterinary Hospital until you turn 18 (due to radiation from X-rays and possibly chemotherapy) depending on their hospital protocols and workers comp insurance. Having a work permit from school may help. You will most likely start as a kennel tech (cleaning cages , taking out the trash, mopping floors, stocking the hospital) but you will see what goes on behind the scenes and may be able to train to start helping hold patients and help in back treatment. Working for a private practice or rescue over a corporate or shelter may offer more growth opportunities. Sign up for Veterinary Medicine free continuing education to keep learning. There are so many free options but also paid memberships to things like AVMA and VetGirl. I only do free CE unless it is covered by my work. Memberships and paid training adds up fast. I started as a kennel tech with no experience and am now 19 years in and I live what I do. I've been a shift lead, a practice manager and an unlicensed VA. There are more opportunities for licensed techs and possibilities to specialize in many areas like dental, feline, anesthesia, etc. I agree with Eric about low stress handling. FVMA (Feline Veterinary Medical Association, formally the American Association of Feline Practitioners) and Fear Free LLC offer certificates in low stress handling. FVMA offers a Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional and Fear Free has Fear Free Veterinary Professional. They have free information for pet parents at cat friendly dot com and fearfreehappyhomes dot com