what is the best way for my 12 yr old daughter to get into animal care. ultimatley to be a vet. ,many thanks x

Question

my 12 year old daughter wants to be a vet when she has finished school ( mind u she is only 12 at the mo)
does anyone know how she can get into this field at her age? i would like to help her pursue her carear if this is what she wants (sorry for spelling and sounding like a pushy mum!!) xxxxx

Answer 1

Being a licensed vet you will ultimately have to go to school and get the license, but a vet assistant doesn't need to get one. I recommend applying like any other job to a local vet. Or a good way is to go to ROP it is a high school class (no charge to go) and they will start you with the basics and hands on training then you do some volunteer work for a vet. It is only a few months maybe like one day a week but if you do well a lot of times the vet will hire you. I was a 4-H member and you do animal projects and that really looks good on an application for experience. I was out feeding one evening and a man walked down down street and was looking at my animals he asked me a few questions and told me he was the vet from the office down the street and offered me a job I told him I am only 14 but maybe in a few years. Experience is always the key for any job. Vet assistant is a good start and they do make a decent living at least make it easier to become one in the end.

Answer 2

Your daughter sounds exactly like mine. We checked out some Vet summer camps - found one in Canada, one at Penn State for high schoolers, and one in Gainesville. We'll probably send her there next year.

We tried to volunteer at our local shelter, but their insurance regs prohibited someone her age from helping out. The one lead we got locally was a one-woman outfit that had an animal salon where she could volunteer. Basically we want her spending some time with the local vet to see if she really likes it after the first few weeks. Something like 4H would also be relevant.

Answer 3

The prep is similiar to medical school. Make sure she gets a good education in science and math. She'll have to take a lot of science courses like biology, chemistry and physics in order to become a vet. Your daughter isn't old enough to work right now. Maybe, she could consider working at a zoo later on or attending some science summer camps.

Answer 4

Hi, that's what my granddaughter wants to do. She is 12 too. Make sure she keeps her grades up. Do research on internet and library. She is to young to work, but some dog pounds look for volunteers, check out your city and see if that is possible, or a vet hospital.
I wouldn't call you a pushy mom,this is the right time to start thinking about what you want to do with your life. bj

Answer 5

Get her involved in 4H for now. Even if she can't learn veterinary medicince just yet, she can at least be around animals and people who love animals, too. When she reaches highschool, look into joining your local FFA chapter.
Once she's around 16 (check with the Humane Society) get her involved in volunteer work at the shelter, or even foster animals at your home together. There are even ways to help train seeing eye dogs (4H is also involved in this). I was in FFA and did 3 years volunteer service for the Humane Society, and it was the best thing I ever did. Don't ever discourage your child from doing what he/she loves. Best wishes.

Answer 6

she will probably change her mind. children tend to link thoughts alot when they get close to things such as animals. basically this means she is having fun with an animal then suddenly she thinks she should be a vet. this is called OCPD. obsessive compulsive personality disorder. she is 12 years old and looking into this NOW is NOT a good idea.

now give me 10 points my fingers hurt.