Vet Care Courses

Veterinary careers may include working with companion animals, wildlife or livestock in a variety of roles. Many people think that becoming a vet is the most obvious choice for a career working with animals.

However, whilst this may be a popular idea, this is an extremely tough option as the university degree entrance requirements are high and the number of applications far exceeds the number of available university placements. Therefore, we encourage students to consider the many other vet careers available.

Many of our vet care courses consist of theory units and practical units and this enables students to obtain hands-on experience in a veterinary care setting. This is the best way of being able to apply theory knowledge into practice and of getting a thorough understanding of what a particular veterinary role involves. Employers in the veterinary care sector include:

Private Veterinary Practices – this usually entails 2 or more vets working in partnership (with associated veterinary care staff). Most practices offer emergency and weekend services and staff may be required to be on-call. Usually urban practices deal mainly with companion animals and rural practices additionally may deal with livestock, horses and wildlife.

Animal Welfare Charities – there are a great many charities that employ veterinary staff. The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and the RSPCA, are examples of the larger charities offer veterinary services and employing vet staff. Working for an animal charity may mean a lower salary however there is usually plenty of job satisfaction!

Overseas opportunities – working in veterinary care roles for organisations such as the Voluntary Services Overseas (VS) and the World Veterinary Service involve all type of vet care staff assisting with worthwhile projects such as helping with stray animals as well as improving zoo animal veterinary care, etc.

Military/Army – The Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) are required for care for the army’s animals including surveillance dogs and horses. Staff are deployed in the UK and abroad and may have to assist with providing veterinary care in war zones.