1. Veterinary Medicine

2. Why People Consider Veterinary Medicine As a Career
Compassion and respect for animals
Interest in science and medical research
Skills and patience necessary for a helping/service profession
Desire to improve the welfare of both animals and humans

3. Veterinary Education
Admission to vet school requires certain coursework be completed but not necessarily a bachelor’s degree. The average successful applicant has over four (4) years of education.
There are 27 veterinary schools in the United States.
There are about 8000 veterinary students in the U.S.

4. Most veterinary schools accept applications on a regional or statewide basis.
Males and females are accepted in approximately a 25/75 ratio.
One’s chances of being accepted on one application are between 12% and 33%.
While admission is difficult, 90% of students who enter will graduate.

5. Admission to the University of Tennessee
Academic profile
GPA
Aptitude test scores
Personal profile
Letters of reference
Autobiographical statement
Experience with animals
Experience with veterinary medicine
Personal interview

6. There Are About 70,000 Graduates in the U.S. Today (1300 in Tennessee)
Currently, 2/3 of veterinarians are male, but this is changing.
Most veterinary school classes are 75% female.

7. Animal Population Figures
Population (millions)
% Household owning
Dogs 53 37
Cats 57 31
Horses 7 2
Cattle 96
Swine 56
Sheep
Birds 20 10

8. What Veterinarians Do:
Private Practice
70% of all veterinarians
85% of first year graduates are in private practice

9. 100% Pet Practice 50% of all veterinarians
Income and hours worked (48.8) is average
Tends to be most technologically sophisticated practice group. Most procedures performed on animals were perfected on animals.
Affords many opportunities to practice good medicine
Work is indoors, not physically strenuous and is typically located in urban or suburban areas.

10. Mixed Practice - 20% All Veterinarians
Income below average and hours worked above average.
Tend to be a generalist knowing an amazing lot about many different animals.
Small town lifestyle appeals to many.

11. Large Animal Practice 7% of All Veterinarians
The pay is above average
Tend to be more specialized
Physically more demanding
Get to be outdoors
Exists in rural or suburban areas

12. About 25% of Veterinarians Are Salaried
Regulatory
Research
Colleges and Universities 5%

13. Colleges and Universities
5% of all veterinarians
Most have post D.V.M. education
Any facility housing experimental animals must have a veterinarian.
Teaching and research

14. Government Federal government employs about 5% of all veterinarians.
State and local government – 2%
Disease control and regulatory
Food inspection
Research
Starting salary is above average and hours worked are lower.
Regular hours and job security

15. Military 1% of all veterinarians Public health and research
Enter as a 1st Lieutenant or Captain
Good benefits
Regular hours

16. Private Industry 5% of all veterinarians Research and drug testing
Post DVM education
Excellent salary and benefits

17. Disadvantages of Veterinary Medicine
Starting salary is low ($47,000) compared to the level of education.
Many in private practice resent the attention which must be paid the to business aspect of practicing veterinary medicine.
Veterinarians see more suffering and death than any other segment.

18. Advantages to Veterinary Medicine
Opportunity to help both animals and humans can be very fulfilling.
Above average income ($76,000).
100% employment.
Above average social status in the community.
Work is non-repetitive.

19. Questions???