Become a Veterinarian: Study Science

Are you an 8-14 year old wanna-be-veterinarian and asking yourself “What can I do today to make sure I become a veterinarian of tomorrow?”  Well, let me help you out.  Ichabod Ink recently connected with practicing veterinarians all over the country and we asked them what advice they had for you.  We then tabulated all of their suggestions and created what we are calling “Become a Veterinarian: The Top Five Recommendations for Veterinary Kids”.  Through this blog series, I have shared their advice with you. Except for their number one answer.  So here we go…

At number one, the top recommendation of the veterinarians in our study was “study science”.  These animal doctors understood that to become a veterinarian you must enjoy science as much as you love animals.  The truth is, many children love animals.  The children who love both animals and science are the ones that become veterinarians.

Start by exploring the science of animals in school.  When I asked one veterinarian her advice, she shared what she did when she was younger.  She told me she made animals a part of everything she did at school.  If she had to write a book report, it was always on an animal book.  If she was drawing a picture for an art project, it was always of an animal.  If she had to bring something in to share with the class, it was something she received from a trip to the local zoo or aquarium.  Science fair?  You can bet her project was on an animal topic.

Science doesn’t just live in the classroom.  Visit a museum, go to a science camp or get involved with a science club.  If you want to have an even greater impact, you can help scientists collect data on animals.  Join a national program like the Great Backyard Bird Count or get involved with smaller, local programs like amphibian monitoring sponsored by organizations throughout the country.  As part of these programs, you’ll go out around your home and count the animals you see.  It’s fun and a great way to get hands-on science experience.

Science is very important to a future veterinarian.  Take the advice of the veterinarians from our survey and make it a part of everything you do at home and at school.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Chris