What's it Like to Be the Vet?

From the authors of the popular Be the Vet series which has sold over 15000 books...Have you ever wondered what it is like to be the vet, what it's really like working in a clinic day-to-day? Follow the stories of experienced veterinarians who share their knowledge and advice while giving examples of real-life situations that will make you smile and tug at your heart.Why did I become a vet? What's it like being the new vet on the job?What happens in a typical day on the job?What about those memorable cases?What's it like dealing with the owners of the pets?and much more........Ages 9-13Why Did I Become a Vet?

This question is often asked of people who have chosen a particular profession. It is not a career that people just find themselves in one day. Most veterinarians in the United States attend eight years of school-four years at a university or college followed by four additional years at a veterinary school. That is a lot of money and time one must commit to being a veterinarian. Many vets spend years paying off the debt they acquired from going to college for so long. So, choosing this profession has to be a passion of some sort for most doctors.

Dr. Tom explains his decision to become a vet this way, "I always loved animals. I had all kinds of different pets including dogs, cats, pigeons, fish, quail, lizards, and even a tarantula." Having experience with animals as a child seems to be common among all of the doctors I interviewed. Dr. Jacob, who works with large animals (farm animals) as well as small animals (common household pets like dogs and cats) had two special animals that made a lasting impact on him as a child. "I had two calves, Chip and Dale. I wanted to raise them to be a team of oxen and then sell them to help me pay for college. One of them got pneumonia and died. I was very upset and determined then to become a vet so I could help sick animals."