Didn't have gap years by choice, but two application cycles of rejections and waitlists will do that to you.
How long did you wait before applying to vet school?
I ended up being accepted during my third application cycle by one school out of the 8 I applied to. I originally wanted to go from undergrad directly into vet school. I spent the first gap year working in various small animal clinics and at a doggie day care, while simultaneously taking a fifth year of school as a non-degree seaking student. The first year I applied, I did a poor job of matching my school list to what I could offer as an applicant on paper. My second cycle, I only applied to my IS and the OOS that had waitlisted me. Even during my third cycle, 2-3 of the schools I applied to were poor choices I should never have applied to.
So I commend your self-awareness that you need more veterinary experience for your application to be set up for success.
Did you have a family in mind?
Yes! I was at the time in a 5 year long, 80% long distance relationship. The original plan was vet school right out of undergrad, graduate at 26, and establish my career/family in 2018. Did not happen. I left my ex during my 3rd application cycle due to a growing rift between us that stemmed from vet school plans.
I still have plans for a family! I am currently engaged to my best friend of 15 years. We're eloping sometime between now and next August, just not quite sure when. Graduate in May. Moving out of our friend's house around September/October of next year. As soon as we are established in our new home, it's baby time! I'll graduate at 29 years old. Definitely starting a family later than I wanted (my parents were 20 and 23 when I was born and I wanted to try to have kids younger; oh well). Being a student now and for so long has definitely lead to a moderate to significant level of burn out to the point I have re-evaluated my career plans to not try to specialize immediately post graduation, if at all.
But a lot of that has to do with life changes in general, you know? I started vet school single and I had all these different ideas of what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, etc. No longer single and life losses over the last few years have cause a re-evaluation of priorities. That can happen no matter when you go through vet school.
A single gap year won't make or break your life if you consider it actively as part of your plan. I am *not* someone who feels "everything happens for a reason". But life happens. If you're not sure about a gap year, then plan on it happening and you'll just be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't. You lose nothing by preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.