6 answers
Mary Hope
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
2
Questions
Updated
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What is the most effective way to gain experience and hours related to working with animals?
I am currently a highschool junior who wants to go into the medical field for a profession, specifically veterinary science. Right now i work at a dog daycare, boarding, and grooming place. My experience with animals here includes distrubituing, food and water, cleaning dog supplies, bathing dogs, giving medications as instructed by owners, and watching over up to over 20 dogs at a time. Apart from that, i also regularly pet sit for close friends and family. I have also taken three health science classes and am certified in human CPR and first aid.
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6 answers
Ross Christensen
Culinary Director
21
Answers
Eagan, Minnesota
Updated
Ross’s Answer
When I was in High School, I volunteered at the local zoo, you get to learn about a wide variety of animals and it looks good on a resume.
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
330
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
The Vet School Secret—Pivot immediately from "Animal Care" to "Veterinary Experience."
You already have an incredible foundation. Managing a pack of 20 dogs, dispensing medication, and holding health science and CPR certifications proves you are highly responsible.
However, veterinary school applications split your hours into two strict categories. To be a competitive applicant, you need to shift your strategy right now.
The Critical Difference: "Animal" vs. "Veterinary" Hours
Animal Experience (What you have now): Pet sitting, dog daycare work, boarding, and grooming. These hours are valuable because they prove you understand animal body language and basic care, but they do not satisfy the clinical medical hours vet schools want.
Veterinary Experience (What you need next): Any hours spent working directly under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. You need at least several hundred of these hours to be competitive.
The 3 Fastest Ways to Get Veterinary HoursThe Shadowing Blitz: Call or visit local veterinary clinics. Ask specifically to "shadow" a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) for a few hours a week. You will observe surgeries, wellness exams, and client communication. Apply as a Veterinary Assistant or Kennel Tech: Leverage your daycare experience to apply for entry-level kennel tech or assistant roles inside an animal hospital. Doing basic tasks like cleaning cages or restraining animals for a vet counts as official veterinary experience.Diversify Outside of Dogs and Cats: Vet schools love well-rounded applicants. Reach out to local equine (horse) vets, livestock farms, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. Exposure to large or exotic animals will make your application stand out
You already have an incredible foundation. Managing a pack of 20 dogs, dispensing medication, and holding health science and CPR certifications proves you are highly responsible.
However, veterinary school applications split your hours into two strict categories. To be a competitive applicant, you need to shift your strategy right now.
The Critical Difference: "Animal" vs. "Veterinary" Hours
Animal Experience (What you have now): Pet sitting, dog daycare work, boarding, and grooming. These hours are valuable because they prove you understand animal body language and basic care, but they do not satisfy the clinical medical hours vet schools want.
Veterinary Experience (What you need next): Any hours spent working directly under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. You need at least several hundred of these hours to be competitive.
The 3 Fastest Ways to Get Veterinary HoursThe Shadowing Blitz: Call or visit local veterinary clinics. Ask specifically to "shadow" a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) for a few hours a week. You will observe surgeries, wellness exams, and client communication. Apply as a Veterinary Assistant or Kennel Tech: Leverage your daycare experience to apply for entry-level kennel tech or assistant roles inside an animal hospital. Doing basic tasks like cleaning cages or restraining animals for a vet counts as official veterinary experience.Diversify Outside of Dogs and Cats: Vet schools love well-rounded applicants. Reach out to local equine (horse) vets, livestock farms, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. Exposure to large or exotic animals will make your application stand out
Mary Jane Shroyer
Director of Health Professions Career Community
120
Answers
Grinnell, Iowa
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
Your current experience sounds great! I would encourage you to think about broadening your experience from here to work with different species and/or in different settings. Some ideas:
Contact some local vets to see if the docs will let you shadow; it's a bonus if you can find someone specializing in exotic pets
Volunteer at your local shelter and ask if you can shadow the shelter medicine vet
Check your nearest zoo to see if they have volunteer or internship programs offering hands-on experiences
If there's an aquarium near you, they may also have volunteer or internship opportunities
Look for volunteer or internship opportunities with a wildlife rehab facility
See if a local stable would train you this summer or look for an equine therapy organization that trains volunteers
Get involved with 4H to learn about caring for chickens, rabbits, goats, and similar farm animals
You may need to get creative in your searches; for example, you may not find anything if you search "wildlife rehab" but there could be a raptor rehab facility near you.
You don't need to do all of the examples I mention, but having experience with species beyond cats and dogs and understanding the many settings where vets can work will make you stand out when you eventually apply to vet school. Good luck!
Contact some local vets to see if the docs will let you shadow; it's a bonus if you can find someone specializing in exotic pets
Volunteer at your local shelter and ask if you can shadow the shelter medicine vet
Check your nearest zoo to see if they have volunteer or internship programs offering hands-on experiences
If there's an aquarium near you, they may also have volunteer or internship opportunities
Look for volunteer or internship opportunities with a wildlife rehab facility
See if a local stable would train you this summer or look for an equine therapy organization that trains volunteers
Get involved with 4H to learn about caring for chickens, rabbits, goats, and similar farm animals
You may need to get creative in your searches; for example, you may not find anything if you search "wildlife rehab" but there could be a raptor rehab facility near you.
You don't need to do all of the examples I mention, but having experience with species beyond cats and dogs and understanding the many settings where vets can work will make you stand out when you eventually apply to vet school. Good luck!
Leslie Epstein
Operations in Venture Capital
8
Answers
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Updated
Leslie’s Answer
Maybe call some Vets around your area and see if they will let you job shadow or if you can intern in their office. You can gain real world experience seeing what the field is really about!
Kina Pauling (she, her)
Consultant
1
Answer
Crown Point, Indiana
Updated
Kina’s Answer
It is great that you know what you want to do this early. Start looking for jobs that will give you related experience. Start your own business pet sitting or dog walking in your neighborhood. There are services that you can become an employee of that provide these services. If you want to go the volunteer route, local Humane Society sites have volunteer training and provide part time hours to volunteer. Another option is to check with local veterinary offices to see if they will accept volunteers. Some do and others are not willing to risk the liability of having a non- employee onsite.
As others have commented, the local zoo or aquarium will have formalized volunteer programs that could lead to employment. Good luck!
As others have commented, the local zoo or aquarium will have formalized volunteer programs that could lead to employment. Good luck!
Jade Naquin
ICU Veterinary Technician
1
Answer
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Updated
Jade’s Answer
Since you have experience working with animals in a kennel setting, you have some good options! Working as a veterinary assistant or a kennel worker at an animal hospital is great exposure and most of the time, we'd get our kennel workers to come help us restrain or perform diagnostics with us. Depending on your age, you can shadow or work part time while in school. We had a high school student working with us while she was in school, so just check with your local vets and what your local laws are on that!