Veterinary Assisting

[FantasyVesperia]

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Hello, I just have a quick question. Would becoming a veterinary assistant ideal before veterinary school? I feel like that this would be a great idea for clinic and animal experience.

 

[503372]

Hello, I just have a quick question. Would becoming a veterinary assistant ideal before veterinary school? I feel like that this would be a great idea for clinic and animal experience.

It is my understanding that becoming a vet tech or vet assistant through a degree program will not give you a leg up on the competition. You need to do well in your pre-reqs in addition to having experience.

 

[Frozenshades]

Working in a clinic as a veterinary assistant would be good experience yes. You need veterinary experience before you apply.

If you're asking about doing a program to become a certified technician or veterinary assistant however, anyone here wouldn't recommend it. It's not worth the time and money, and generally the classes won't contribute to your prerequisites before applying to vet school.

 

[twelvetigers]

Just go get a job at a clinic. Or shadow/volunteer, perhaps to get your foot in the door for a paid job.

 

[holsteinhugger]

Agree with frozenshades. Being an assistant will definitely a) give you a good (or bad) idea of what to expect from private practice b) give you contact hours + rec c) would not require a degree or much experience/invested time (versus vet tech)

 

[Suomi]

I definitely don't recommend doing a VA/VT program, but being a VA at a place willing to train you is great for your application and great for the experience/perspectives you will get out of it. I am a VA currently and I have learned to do many things many don't know how to do yet upon entering vet school. On the flipside, though, I have seen the cons of private practice (particularly companion animal) and know that I don't want to go down that path ever. Being a VA does give you the opportunity to make some great veterinary contacts and when vets know you're applying to vet school, many go above and beyond to explain things to you and give you hands-on opportunities you wouldn't get otherwise. I thinks it's worth doing overall.

 

[485501]

Working at a clinic is a great way to get experience, yes, but it's not necessary as long as you get experience somehow. All of my vet experience was through shadowing, unpaid internships, and volunteering and I got in.

So, if you can get a job and you like it, or if you need to get a paid job, go for it. But don't stress about needing to get a vet-related job, shadowing and volunteering work too (and can sometimes lead to jobs, actually).