Why Vets are so Awesome

Have you ever wondered why veterinarians choose to be veterinarians? If you think it's just for the paycheck, you have definitely have been misinformed.

A majority of veterinarians select their profession because of their passion for animals. They spend eight years of their lives dedicated to studying veterinary medicine. And it's not cheap. Currently the average student comes out of vet school with a debt of about $200,000. The average salary of a veterinarian is about $45,000-$106,000. They are highly educated, skilled and work extremely hard.

What does your veterinarian know/do? Let's break it down.

1. Performs multiple types of surgeries on all sorts of animals
2. An expert on dental health for animals
3. Reads/interprets lab reports
4. Diagnoses illnesses
5. Performs chemotherapy on cancer patients
6. Writes prescriptions, meaning has a strong knowledge of multiple drugs/side effects
7. Makes informed decisions
8. Gives injections
9. Draws blood (difficult to do on birds and reptiles)
10. Educates on pet care

These are just a few of the things your vet knows how to do. They are also comforters when your pet dies or is euthanized. If you think your vet doesn't care, trust that they absolutely do. They wouldn't have spent years of their lives in an expensive school if they didn't. Many vets have always had compassion for pets and worked hard throughout their lives to practice veterinary medicine.

Dr. Folland knew he wanted to be a vet from a very young age. He cared for all types of animals growing up and developed a passion for birds. When he was a teenager he rode his bike several blocks to work at an animal clinic, where he was a kennel technician. He worked hard in college to get into vet school and then did an avian medicine internship. After his schooling he opened his own clinic and later spent five years getting board certified in avian medicine. His final paper was even rejected a few times until the board finally accepted it.

Our other vets, Dr. Stearns and Dr. Echols, also have their own unique journeys to becoming vets.

We love our veterinarians! They do so much to help animals! Take time today to tell them thank you.

Dr. Stearns

Dr. Folland

Dr. Echols