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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Animal technology is the allied health profession concerned with providing qualified technical support to the care, use, production, and husbandry of animals - both in animal health and in research.
The veterinarian, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, treats sick and injured animals and protects human health by preventing and controlling the spread of diseases transmissible from animals to humans.
Companion animal medicine encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pet diseases typically found in dogs and cats. Veterinarians in this field provide these services in animal hospitals or clinics.
| A few of the many other vital functions of a veterinarian include: |
Agriculture
Veterinarians prevent and treat diseases of animals crucial to the cattle, poultry, dairy and farming industries. Veterinarians not only respond to the general health concern of animals; but through nutrition, sanitation and breed characteristics management, veterinarians help breeders. |
Public Health
Many human diseases are transmitted by animals. Veterinarians protect the public from diseases through inspection of meat, poultry, and related products; prevent introduction of animal diseases at U.S. ports of entry; and keep the public safe from rabies through preventive vaccinations. Many dreaded human diseases are effectively controlled or eliminated through veterinary practices. Another aspect of public health veterinary medicine is work through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. |
Armed Forces
Veterinarians in military service are engaged in vital functions such as food inspection for military personnel, diet development, food packaging and more. Veterinarians are key members of research teams investigating nuclear energy and the effects of space travel on humans. |
Research and Industry
Experimentation with new drugs, therapies, and medical procedures often begins with the study of effects on animals. Veterinarians are employed by pharmaceutical companies, animal feed manufacturers, and a number of medical research institutions. |
Pets
Besides caring for animals, community veterinarians safeguard public health through detection and prevention of diseases transmitted from animals to human beings. |
Veterinarians can also teach in veterinary college, work in zoos or animal laboratories or engage in a combination of clinical and research activities.
Job Outlook
Career opportunities in veterinary medicine look good.
Educational Requirements
Length of training for a veterinarian is two to four years of undergraduate college and four years at an approved college of veterinary medicine. Licensure is required.
Educational Programs - Illinois
University of Illinois - Urbana Veterinary Medicine
Basic Sciences Building 2001 S. Lincoln
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-1192
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/
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Other Programs - Midwest
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