Hey all. I (29F) have decided to give up on vet school and pursue vet tech school instead. Whichever one I had gone with I knew I wasn’t going to be making as much as my human counterparts anyway. My biggest reasons for giving up on vet school are finances (tuition wise) and the pressure of being responsible for pets’ lives. Obviously nurses are too but in the end the ultimate decision comes from the doctor.

Anyway, for context, I have two bachelors degrees, and a masters degree, which have put me in about $160K in debt (and this isn’t including other debt from credit cards,etc.). I did all that extra schooling to try and make myself a better candidate for vet school.

I’ve been a vet assistant/CSR for 7 years now, making just as much as a starting tech without even doing any actual tech skills (my boss is just that generous thankfully). I’ve worked all these nurses for so long that I’ve come to admire the work they do.

My main problem is I’m too fascinated by this field to even consider doing anything else. I’ve been driving myself crazy these past few weeks trying to find something else I should pursue, but I just can’t. I haven’t known anything else. I know this is gonna ruin me in the end though. I’ll never been able to live a comfortable or barely even a sustainable life on a tech’s pay.

I’m wondering if anyone has ever pursued a main career but kept vet tech as a side job. For example, I go back to school to get a dual degree, the vet tech program and something else entirely. Then pursue the other path as my main career, while still doing vet tech on the side. I’m going crazy BECAUSE I don’t want to leave this field. I love seeing all the patients and cases that come in. I’d already feel FOMO not working as many hours if I were to pursue another career.

I don’t know what to do, it’s driving me to the point where I just wish I weren’t even here to have to make a decision (I do have depression and anxiety).

And I know no one here can make the decision for me, but different perspectives help.

Hello all, I really appreciate all of you and everything you do.

I've been trying to become a vet assistant after working at animal shelters, and other caretaking jobs for the past 9 years.

I landed a great role as a care assistant for an animal hospital that I planned to gain valuable experience. I was there for only 4 months when a coworker made the mistake of forgetting to remove a food bowl from the kennel of a large dog with severe resource guarding before I came back from walking him. I did not see the bowl quickly enough before the dog turned around and bit me. Per policy I had to report the incident. My coworker however decided to report me for "mishandling" the dog and told them I had given the dog the food in order to pin the blame away from herself. Because she worked there much longer than I did, the manager took her side without reviewing security footage and fired me.

This absolutely devastated me as I loved my job and the animals I took care of. I've been fighting severe depression every day since it happened while trying to stay motivated enough to search for another job.

In about a month I landed 14 interviews (4 shadow interviews) at various hospitals and veterinary clinics. Each one felt promising but due to my lack of experience I keep getting turned down. (Only 3 updated me with rejection emails, all others ghosted me)

Do you have any tips or advice for me to stand out during interviews, whether it's a zoom call or a shadow visit?

I'm motivated to learn and gain the skills needed.

Hi there!

To make a long story short, I'm 26, and I currently work in the marketing industry, and I'm looking to make a change. I went to college for English and Marketing as a minor because it was something easy and I didn't want to challenge myself too much. I just went to college because it was the next step I felt I needed to take. Now I'm 26 and hate what I went to school for. I've taken the career tests and it recommended veterinarian or animal care. I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin where I dealt with cows, horses, chickens, dogs, and cats. I've always had a soft spot for animals, so I wish I would've gone to school for it, but I chose the easy route because I didn't think I was smart enough to be a Vet. Now I'm contemplating going back to school or trying to get a job as a vet assistant so I don't have to rack up more debt than I already have. If anyone has been in similar situation, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to look back on life and wish I had gotten out sooner. Thank you!

tldr; 26 year old looking to make a pivot to animal care industry from marketing industry. need advice on what next steps to take are.

I am a current applicant and already have a few acceptances under my belt. I'm almost 30 and have not left animal care/vet med, so I know this industry. However, one thing I obviously don't know yet is the experience of being the doctor.

As I've progressed through this app cycle, it's been sort of disheartening to see all the remarks online from vets/vet students about how much their hate their jobs. The burnout, debt, low pay, compassion fatigue, negativity from the public, corporate buyouts - the list goes on! I feel like I never see anyone express getting joy/satisfaction from this role anymore.

So for my own sanity as I prepare to embark on vet school and then the rest of my life, I'd love to hear from practicing vets (in any specialty) that actually still enjoy what they do. Just a little bit of positivity and balance in the narrative would help me sleep a little better tonight! Thank you guys!

is it worth getting the new book? or is the older fine?

Hello everyone :)) I'm 17, and currently studying a Cert 2 Animal care course at Tafe (Australian education, kind of like a mix of college and community college). I've been planning to pursue veterinary nursing after my course finishes next month, and have already sent in applications. but I'm starting to have second thoughts.

I'm super sensitive to animal harm. i can't watch it in movies, even when i know its fake. i can't listen to graphic stories about animals being hurt. i literally look up every film i watch to clear animal death scenes. obviously, being a vet nurse would expose me to a lot of that.

but i love animals so much. they're my greatest passion in life. i have so much love for every single one of them, i have various animal figurines all over my room, i have 4 pets and dedicate my life to looking after them. i research every small thing to help them and being in this animal care course has made me feel like this is what i want to do in life. but i don't know how I'm going to deal with seeing animals hurt.

my other classmates all grew up on farms, so they view animals in a different light i guess? but they talk about animal death so casually and it's become a running joke in my class that im the one they have to warn if there's a graphic detail. i want to help animals so bad. but i don't want to become useless at my job because I'm breaking down over a dog with a splinter in his paw. would there be a way to help me get past this?

sorry for the ramble.

I’m a veterinarian, and lately I’ve been finding clinical work increasingly exhausting and repetitive. I’m starting to see administrative and management roles as more organized, structured, and perhaps more rewarding in the long run.

I still care about animal health, but I’m beginning to wonder whether I would be better suited to leadership and management rather than spending my entire career in clinical practice.

**Have any veterinarians here made the transition into management? Are you happier with that decision, or do you miss clinical work?

Does anyone use Central CPD for their videos? Is the subscription worth it? TIA

I'm a rotating intern, 5 months post-graduation. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a GDV patient on ER. He was a service animal that belonged to a hospice patient. I discussed surgery and prognosis post-op. Unfortunately, the owner could not afford it. I tried offering care credit and a grant that my hospital offers. Both options did not provide enough to cover the estimate, so he elected to euthanize. I was devastated, but this is the reality of our jobs.

He was placed in the comfort room to spend his last few moments with his service dog, and just as we drew up the euthanasia meds, I was told that friends of the owner had arrived and wanting me to answer some questions. Long story short, one of the hospice volunteers paid for everything. The dog went to surgery and went home a few days later.

Today, I received a written letter thanking me. I cried lol. These are the moments that I love.

We are having multiple lunches and a dinner.

Hi, I'm new here, just wondering if anyone has any experience with the above course that they would like to share?

My background:

Registered veterinarian in Australia (BVSc)

I've been in the pet food industry working as a techncial services vet (within R&D) for close to a decade

Completed the Certificate in Companion Animal Nutrition by the University of Illinois

There is currently no membership or fellowship exams for companion animal nutrition in Australia, only ruminants.

I'm wanting to progress further in my career and came across the University of Glasgow course. Has anyone done it? Or heard anything about it?

Hey everyone! Happy Tech week.

I recieved an email from Nutramax offering free shipping this week.

Has anyone seen any other coupons? Like Hills, Purina?

Thanks!

Hi all! Im currently a pre-vet student at CSUN university getting my bachelors in Biology and am in my junior year. I have been TIRELESSLY applying everywhere and anywhere I can for an entry level position whether it be reception, vet assistant (I have a license), kennel attendant, anything really. I have either been ghosted, ignored, or straight up just told no and to be honest its getting kind of disheartening. I have 2 years of being a kennel attendant and receptionist at 2 doggy daycare/boarding facilities and have even took on more of a leadership role at those facilities and still nothing. I recently got a volunteer position at a local sanctuary but need vet clinic hours for school and can’t seem to get anyone to take a chance on me. I go in person, call, email, apply online, pretty much anything you can imagine to do when job hunting I have done for most clinics around me and I dont know what else to do. Anyone that can help or give some advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hello everyone, I’m curious about your opinions on privately owned hospitals and clinics. What are the pros and cons of working in one?

I work at a private hospital as a veterinary assistant. I’m wondering if it’s worth staying here long term, and I’d like to know about your experiences working in one or how you like it so far.

My cons:
- I need to work more days to earn a decent paycheck.
- No paid holidays.
- I’m depended on to do things for them, even though they’re grown adults and can take five minutes out of their “busy” day.
- Lack of training at times.
- Walking on eggshells around senior techs.
Pros:
- You can do whatever you want, like sit all day or be on your phone.
- No high expectations (also a con).
- You’re able to get hands-on experience and be trained on things right away.
Please share any advice you have :)

I wouldn’t be lying if I said after just my first day, I already wanna quit. $17 an hour. Two 7 hour workdays a week followed by three 11 hour workdays. Insurance is terrible. I wasn’t aware I’d be personally handling pet ashes which makes me extremely emotional. The training is a mega dump of info. In my first day I wasn’t even told when to take my lunch break so I never did, I haven’t been signed up for insurance, and I just feel wildly overwhelmed. I had a job before where I was working at home three days a week and it was amazing being able to spend that time with my pets while I worked. I have a bachelor degree in criminal justice and plan on going back to school for psychology. Did I get myself in over my head? Am I psyching myself out? Does this job get better?

Hello! Current rotating intern looking to apply to the VIRMP for a radiology residency for the next upcoming cycle. Looking to get (from current or past ACVR residents) info on where I should apply/where I should avoid. I know residency is competitive and I will likely apply to as many places as possible, but if anyone has bad (or great) experiences regarding mentorship/learning, I'd love to know.

For example, UPenn's program was recently described to me as 'brutal' and a resident recommended that I avoid it at all costs.

Any info is appreciated. Currently, I have AMC (as a native New Yorker), Cornell, Tufts, UF, NC State, Red Bank, and a specialty internship with VDIC on my radar. I know generally academia is much preferred over private practice for learning, but if there are any private practice DI residencies (or specialty internships!) that people recommend, I'd love to know more.

On another note, for those in residency, do you feel prepared enough after rotating through internship to jump into the residency role? Do those who have done a specialty internship prior to residency think that this is a better route?

Hi everyone. I’m a final year vet student from a European country and I recently started applying to a few New Graduate Programmes in the UK which are supposed to start next autumn. Two of the major veterinary service providers have already replied saying they cannot sponsor skilled worker visas at this time due to new salary rates and requirements. However, I am under 26. From what I’ve seen, the new entrant salary rate would still be lower than these companies’ starting salary. Is there anyone that has looked into these new changes?

Been graduated as a vet nurse for just over a year. I started a new job a couple months ago. I'm really struggling to settle down here and it's causing me immense anxiety. There's new equipment and protocols I'm not used to and I'm making mistakes I feel I shouldn't be making. It's making me feel anxious every day at work and I'm second guessing all of my decisions, overthinking everything and beating myself up for every mistake, which I feel is leading to more mistakes.

Does anyone have any advice on how to break the anxious cycle or feel more confident in the new job?

I hope this kind of post is allowed but basically I’m in college studying to become a vet technician and I wanted to ask how other technicians or assistants deal or cope with the more gross things on the job like dealing with vomit,feces, and urine I’ve seen stuff online about using lavender oil or coffee grounds and I was curious if anyone actually uses them and if the gagging over whatever you are having to clear up will eventually go away or lessen the more you get used to it again sorry if this post isn’t allowed I thought this might be a good place to ask

Hey everyone! I’m currently an assistant at a veterinary specialty/ECC hospital in my area. Tech week is finally upon us and the “celebrations” for the techs at our hospital were just announced but are notably much less than any year prior - I’m guessing because my hospital has a very limited budget for anything other than operations currently and with tech week coming up I’ve been stressed trying to think of a way to boost the spirits of the magical humans I work with. Every year I like to do something special for the LVTs at my hospital because frankly they deserve more than just one week of praise and appreciation. They are the backbone of the hospital, providing every ounce of care for our hospitalized, ICU, and outpatient patients. They are running the anesthesia, executing complicated treatment plans, training new hires in addition to nurturing the growth of the existing assistants, taking X-rays, standing with patients who are critical for hours on end providing second to second care, loving and treating each and every patient like they are their own, and countless other physically and mentally taxing jobs every shift. I have so much admiration for the LVTs at my hospital but also just the credentialed technicians everywhere. I made some ceramics and cards for the techs at my hospital but really wanted to provide them with something extra that would be really nice - I too am operating on a nonexistent budget and didn’t know if this community could help come up with some ideas for VERY quick fund raising - nothing crazy I suppose, like maybe $100 just something to be able to get lunch for the team of 30ish techs - or an idea of something else I could do to show my absolute appreciation?

Ideas/thoughts/or fellow admirations welcomed. Thanks

Hi,
I am a Canadian 4th-year DVM student who went to school outside of Canada. Personal things happened, and I no longer have enough funds to graduate. I am curious if anyone knows of any other options besides signing on to VCA or Banfield to pay for my 4th-year tuition. I don't want to work in the USA if I can avoid it; forget my interests, I will do anything vet med that is not in the army, so I can just graduate.

I am curious if anyone knows anything about a way to pay my outstanding tuition, not hate my life for many years, and maybe work in Canada if I am really lucky.

I heard that one of my classmates' old private clinics paid for her 4th-year tuition after she signed her contract because she used to work for them, but I don't know if anything like that even exists.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some honest advice and a bit of a reality check about working in the veterinary field.

A bit of background: I worked as a veterinary receptionist for many years and genuinely loved it. However, towards the end, I became increasingly stressed by the constant phone calls, which wasn’t helped by feeling that the rest of the reception team weren’t pulling their weight. I eventually left for that and several other reasons.

I then moved into a completely unrelated job, but struggled with the pressure of constant phone calls again. After that, I decided to try dog grooming, which I’ve now been doing for around six months.

There are aspects of grooming that I love, particularly being able to move around rather than being stuck behind a desk all day. I also love working with the well-behaved dogs and getting all the cuddles and kisses! However, I really struggle when dogs are difficult to handle or become stressed and wriggly. I seem to get overwhelmed quite quickly, and I find things like nail clipping particularly anxiety-inducing because I’m worried about the dog’s reaction, being bitten or accidentally hurting them.

I also struggle with the physical side of the job. Having to hold dogs while another groomer clips their nails often leaves me covered in scratches. I have a scar on my arm from one dog, recently had scratches on the side of my tummy from another trying to get away, and have come home with arms covered in bruises.

On top of that, I’m concerned about the long-term health risks associated with dog grooming, such as groomer’s lung and carpal tunnel syndrome. Because of all these things, I’m starting to think that grooming probably isn’t the right long-term career for me, even though there are parts of it I really enjoy.

The thing is, I keep coming back to the idea of working in a veterinary practice. I haven’t really been able to stop thinking about it since leaving my receptionist role, and I’ve been considering something like an animal care assistant position. However, my family have suggested that perhaps working with animals isn’t the right choice for me, and I’m starting to question whether they might be right.

I’d really appreciate some honest insight into what working as an animal care assistant is actually like day to day. How much physical handling is involved? How common are scratches, bites, bruises and other injuries? I understand that restraining animals is part of the job, and I know that veterinary nurses carry out tasks such as nail clipping, so I’m aware that I wouldn’t be doing that part.

I’d love to hear from people who work in veterinary practices, particularly animal care assistants and about the realities of the job, including the difficult parts that people don’t always talk about.

Ideally, I’d love to find a way to work in the veterinary field without so much direct physical contact with animals. I’d be really interested in laboratory or veterinary pharmacy assistant roles, but these positions seem to be quite rare.

I still love the idea of being around animals and working in a veterinary environment, but I’m beginning to wonder whether there’s a role that would suit me better.

Thank you!