At some point in their life, every student will have to decide on a career for their future. One promising lucrative career field is veterinary medicine. Doctors, managers, and technicians working in the field at Mission Road Animal Clinic provided an in depth perspective on a career in the field.
A key component to any profession involves having prior interest in the subject. Mission Road technician, Alex Hammonds, finds that her love for animals and people alike drew her into the profession.
“I have always loved helping people but I felt more connected to animals. In the vet med field you get a good mix of both,” Hammonds said.
Another important piece of the puzzle centers around embracing the varied aspects of veterinary medicine. Doctor Gib Benschoter finds that surgical medicine was one of his favorite parts of the profession early in his practice but that his interests continue to shift and evolve.
“As a younger vet, I greatly enjoyed surgery and the challenges it presented. In my early years, there were few specialists and this allowed me to perform more technically difficult surgeries…Today, I find diagnosing complicated medical cases much more enjoyable. I enjoy the step wise decision making to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan,” Dr. Benschoter said.
The arguably most compelling aspect, and what drew Mission Road manager Melissa Geffert into the field, is the undeniable love for animals.
“Well, like most people I love the sweet faces. I love seeing happy pets here and hearing their names, what they’re like at home, and seeing them interact with staff,” Geffert said.
However, not everything in the profession is amazing at all times. Most members of the vet community can collectively agree that end of life care remains the least enjoyable part of the job.
“Euthanasia is the most difficult part of this profession, hands down. I’ve been in Vetmed long enough to know that it’s very much a part of pet ownership and very much a part of our daily interactions, but even after all these years, it is not easy. Watching people have to say goodbye to their furry family members is a very personal thing, and I don’t take for granted that we are a part of their grief, many times grieving right alongside them,” Geffert said.
Financial situations can also prevent pets from getting the best care possible, which can be challenging for the staff involved.
“Other situations may be able to be managed, but financial concerns limit the owners ability to provide those life-saving measures and euthanasia is elected. The interactions and expectations of owners can be very difficult to manage during those very emotional times,” Dr. Benschoter said.
However, all staff find that they enjoy their job immensely and have excellent advice for any students thinking about joining the veterinary field.
“For students who are considering Vet Med, I would say enjoying and understanding math and science is a foundation. All undergrad work will be based on math and advanced levels of science. In addition, I think it is important to find some exposure to the profession through volunteering or even working as a kennel assistant or other support staff at a vet clinic. I do feel it is important to see that, while the care of pets is the basis of the profession, it is just as important to recognize that communicating with their owners is also a vital part of practicing veterinary medicine,” Dr. Benschoter said.
Melissa Geffert adds that not everything goes perfectly and people considering this field need to understand that.
“The reality of Vetmed is this: You cannot save every pet, and you cannot care more for the pets than the people bringing them in. There are medical situations that cannot be cured. There are financial restraints that are out of our control. The business side to the profession is that decisions have to be made, and not all of them are happy,” Geffert said.
Alex Hammonds also wants students interested in Vetmed to understand that it can be taxing work.
“I would advise people looking into the vet med field to go in with an open mind. Don’t be complacent and continue to better yourself, whether that is with the people, the pets, or the everlasting knowledge and learning opportunities. Be a helpful hand and also know your limits. Vet medicine is exhausting and rewarding all at once. Make sure to make time for yourself and set boundaries,” Hammonds said.
This career path is not for everyone, however it is an incredibly quick growing and wonderful career that may just be right for you.
