The answer is everywhere! Across the country, there is a deep need for more veterinary staff at all levels.

From receptionists to DVMs, animal clinics and hospitals need more support as the number of companion animals grows. That’s not even mentioning the need for large-animal veterinarians to support farmers and their livestock in rural areas.

If you are interested in working with animals, now is a ripe time to become a veterinarian.

Are you interested in working with animals? Wonderful! Many opportunities are waiting for you, from those which require years of school to those that need none. Find out which role might be the right fit for you.

A veterinary assistant helps veterinarian technicians and directors run the day-to-day operations smoothly. Vet assistants clean kennels, prepare operating rooms, sterilize equipment, and care for animals recovering from surgery. Because you do not need a bachelor’s degree to work as a veterinary assistant, it is a great place to start when figuring out if you want to work in the industry.

A veterinary technician is to a licensed veterinarian what a nurse is to a doctor. They perform routine checks on injured or sick animals, collect necessary specimens for laboratory tests, and administer medicine when directed by a veterinarian. As a vet tech, you can specialize in large or small animals and areas like emergency care, dentistry, or anesthesia. Vet technicians typically hold an associate degree in veterinarian technician practices.

An associate veterinarian is responsible for all the same duties as a veterinary practice owner, except, well, they don’t own the practice. This typically means that while they are not paid as much as the owner, they have fewer responsibilities and maintain a healthier work-life balance.

A veterinary medical director is the head veterinarian in a practice. They manage associate veterinarians and consult with them on medical and surgical cases. Veterinary medical directors are constantly thinking about improving patient care and ensuring that all in the practice follow industry regulations and protocols correctly. Some veterinary medical directors also handle finances, hire staff, and manage facility operations.

A veterinary practice manager makes sure that everything runs smoothly in the clinic. They order supplies, handle billing, and manage receptionists. Veterinary practice managers are also responsible for setting practice policies and guidelines and ensuring all follow protocols properly.

Working as a veterinarian is a highly rewarding career. For one, no two days are the same: every hour is filled with different animals, different needs, and different challenges. If you would be bored sitting at a desk every day, working in a vet clinic will provide you with ample variety.

Another excellent benefit of working as a veterinarian is high job security. Not just anyone can do what you do, and you can rest assured that your skill set will be needed well into the future. The veterinarian industry is expected to grow 18% by 2026 and isn’t looking to slow down after that.

It is also deeply meaningful to go to work every day and see real change happening before your eyes. You get to be part of healing animals, comforting and encouraging pet owners, and providing high-quality care at an affordable price.

On top of that, you will get to work alongside other animal lovers, and each day will afford new opportunities to learn and grow. But of course, the most significant benefit is that you get to work with animals. For a lover of furry creatures, nothing can be more rewarding than that.