How to Become a Zoo Vet

Working with wildlife everyday is a dream job for animal lovers.

A zoo vet is the perfect career for anyone who loves exotic animals. There is a lot of hard work required to get to the level of expertise required to be a practicing zoo veterinarian, but for those with a passion for wildlife it is worth the effort. The process may vary somewhat from country to country. In the United States it takes approximately 12 years to become a zoological veterinarian if there are no breaks between studies.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in science related field
• Doctorate degree in veterinary medicine
• One year internship at a zoological park
• Three years of residency at a zoological park

Instructions

How To Become A Zoo Vet

1. Get excellent grades in primary school. The better your elementary and high school grades are, the more likely you will be accepted at a university that offers bachelor's degrees in the sciences you need.

2. Obtain your bachelor's degree in one of the related sciences that will help you in your future veterinary studies. These sciences include: general biology, chemistry, animal nutrition, animal husbandry, vertebrate embryology, cellular biology, zoology, physics and microbiology.

3. Apply to a university that offers doctorates in veterinary medicine. The competition for openings is stiff and it can take several years to get accepted even with the best grades. American Students can visit the AAVMC site (Association of American Veterinary Colleges) for information on how to apply and what schools offer veterinary degree programs.

4. Obtain your Ph.D. in veterinary medicine.

5. Spend one year as a veterinary intern. This can be working with any licensed veterinarian and does not have to be specialized.Your internship can be done anywhere you find an available opening.

6. Get accepted to one of the few zoological parks that run a residency program for veterinarians that wish to specialize in zoological veterinary medicine. "The National Zoo" in Washington D.C., is one of a handful of zoos in the United States that offers such a program. Contact zoological parks in the area you are interested in serving to find out if they offer a residency program.

References

• Smithsonian Magazine: On The Job -- Zoo Veterinarian
• Zoo Vet Career Info
• UC Davis: Becoming A Zoo Veterinarian

Resources

• USA Today: Dream Job Zoo Veterinarian
• Assoication of American Veterinary Colleges