THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230053
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MONIQUE WILLIAMS, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
LORI GLICK, A 21-year-old from Virginia Beach, never had any doubts about what she wanted to be when she grew up.
``I've always wanted to be a vet,'' she says, ``probably because I wasn't allowed to have pets when I was growing up.''
But the absence of a domestic pet in Lori's life didn't keep her away from the animals she loves. As a teen, she worked for four years as an assistant at Pembroke Veterinary Clinic in Virginia Beach and volunteered at local kennels rehabilitating animals. She now attends veterinary school at Virginia Tech.
Colleen Rose, an 11th-grade student attending Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, is also getting an early taste of her future career.
``I've always loved animals,'' she says, ``and if I'm going to have a career, I want it in something I love.''
Rose volunteers at Acredale Hospital in Virginia Beach, where she learns firsthand what it's like to be a vet.
Becoming a vet requires a four-year college degree (or two years of nothing but science courses) before going on to veterinary school for four more years.
But, that isn't all. Many vets specialize in neurology or cardiology, for example, adding more years of schooling.
``If you don't like to study, veterinary medicine isn't for you,'' says Dr. David Morris, a veterinarian at Virginia Beach Veterinary Hospital. ``You have to keep up.''
For those who choose a career in veterinary medicine, becoming a vet has little to do with how much money they'll make or what kind of prestige the ``Dr.'' title carries with it.
Would-be vets desire to help creatures that can't help themselves. Love, however, isn't enough, says Glick.
``More than love, you have to have respect for animals and an interest in science.''
Teens that do well with science and math courses in high school will probably excel in vet school, although the curriculum in vet school is rigorous. This semester, Glick is taking 10 science courses, including anatomy, biochemistry and immunology.
She spends the morning in lectures until noon. Then, the afternoon is spent in a lab dissecting horses, cows, sheep or dogs.
Glick then goes home and studies until late, preparing herself for the following day's classes.
``There is a lot of information at once.'' she says, ``It is overwhelming.''
Becoming a vet is a lot like becoming a regular doctor - except harder.
``When you study regular medicine,'' says Morris, ``you only study one species, whereas as vets, we work with nine species.''
Of the approximately 55,000 vets in the United States, more than half hold small-animal practices. The remainder work with large agricultural animals or hold exclusive equine (horses) or bovine (cows) practices. Surprisingly, few (291) work with wildlife or zoo animals.
Most small animal practices are very much like Morris' practice - composed of one-third dogs, one-third cats and one-third exotic pets, such as snakes, birds and rabbits.
Although Morris holds regular office hours, he is on call for emergencies just as regular doctors are.
``It's not a job,'' he says, ``it's a way of life.
``You can't just close the door, go home and watch TV.''
And there is more to veterinary medicine than just playing all day with cute, cuddly animals.
``It's a very dirty, smelly job,'' Glick says. ``Animals urinate, defecate, vomit, and you run the risk of getting bit and scratched.''
Sometimes young adults choose veterinary medicine thinking that if they work with animals, they won't have to deal with people.
Wrong assumption, says Morris. To maintain a successful practice requires a gentle touch with both people and animals.
``You have to ask, `How is Fifi doing today?' and you have to ask the owner.''
There are 27 veterinary schools in the nation with only one (Virginia Tech) in Virginia. The schools collectively graduate 780 new vets each year. Tuition runs at about $10,000 for the state-sponsored schools to twice as much for more expensive schools.
The vet school at Va. Tech accepts only about 80 new students each year. Competition is stiff, and the entrance requirements are high.
Students must have at least a 3.0 average from their college years and most importantly, lots of experience. Additionally, there is an interview before a panel of judges who will decide whether one is selected.
Depending on the school a student chooses, the average debt for graduates once they finish school is anywhere from $45,000 to $100,000.
Entry level salaries working for an established practice in this area and in most of the country are about $28,000 per year.
Repaying a large debt and entry-level salaries that aren't elevated do not leave much for discretionary income. Once a practice has been established, a vet can net more than $130,000 a year.
Other venues available to graduates are working for the state, federal or military government, teach or go into research.
But with $53 million dogs, $57 million cats, $89 million cattle and many more millions of pet birds, pigs, chickens and horses, employment in the field is a sure bet. MEMO: If you would like for us to look into a career, call the high school
editor at 490-7212.If you would like for us to look into a career, call
the high school editor at 490-7212.If you would like for us to look into
a career, call the high school editor at 490-7212.
ILLUSTRATION: B&W photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Virginia Beach veterinarian David Morris treats a California desert
tortoise for an abscess. One-third of Morris' practice is exotic
pets.
Color photo by Keith Greene, Roanoke Times & World-News
Virginia Tech veterinary student Lori Glick has a pet parakeet named
Gator.
VET SPECIALISTS
As of June 30, there were 54,810 members of the American Veterinary
Medicine Association. Among those, many had specialized practices,
including 87 who work exclusively with swine, 1,530 who deal only
with large animals, 140 who concentrate on poultry, 75 whose
specialty is nutrution and 77 who specialize in dermatology.
by CNB