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 Academic profile GPA GPA Aptitude test scores Aptitude test scores Personal profile Personal profile Letters of reference Letters of reference Autobiographical statement Autobiographical statement Experience with animals Experience with animals Experience with veterinary medicine Experience with veterinary medicine Personal interview 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. Currently, 2/3 of veterinarians are male, but this is changing. Most veterinary school classes are 75% female. Most veterinary school classes are 75% female.

7. Animal Population Figures Animal Population (millions) % Household owning Dogs5337 Cats5731 Horses72 Cattle96 Swine56 Sheep7 Birds2010

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

9. 100% Pet Practice 100% Pet Practice 50% of all veterinarians 50% of all veterinarians Income and hours worked (48.8) is average 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. Tends to be most technologically sophisticated practice group. Most procedures performed on animals were perfected on animals. Affords many opportunities to practice good medicine Affords many opportunities to practice good medicine Work is indoors, not physically strenuous and is typically located in urban or suburban areas. 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. Income below average and hours worked above average. Tend to be a generalist knowing an amazing lot about many different animals. Tend to be a generalist knowing an amazing lot about many different animals. Small town lifestyle appeals to many. Small town lifestyle appeals to many.

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

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

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

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

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

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

17. Disadvantages of Veterinary Medicine Starting salary is low ($47,000) compared to the level of education. 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. 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. 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. Opportunity to help both animals and humans can be very fulfilling. Above average income ($76,000). Above average income ($76,000). 100% employment. 100% employment. Above average social status in the community. Above average social status in the community. Work is non-repetitive. Work is non-repetitive.

19. Questions???