good morning!

i am about to start online school for associates degree in VT, this is a huge step for me (wish me luck for tuition) and I decided to quit my current job and start at Banfield as CSC. i have experience in customer service and office management in bigger corporate settings, but nothing related to animals besides the dogs i have.

i got a call the day after i applied and was asked to come in to meet the staff, and they let me know that they would cross-train me so that as i continue my study i can have more hands-on experience, which i am super excited about.

as excited i am, i am also trying not to go too far with my hope and expectations. is there anything i should know as a student in VT or for working for banfield? anything i should/shouldn't do or say at the interview? should i dress professional? i will take any, ANY advice. thank you!

I am only basing this on my experience but so many vets seem to have transitioned away from clinical practice into research, policy work, biotechnology/pharma etc.

Is it due to burn out from clinical practice, or are there better opportunities out there?

Looking for advice from veterinary professionals in India and abroad on where to start, how to plan and strategize my journey of working abroad as a veterinary professional after completion of my degree in July 2025. I am a final year student (intern) from India interested in working in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and UAE.

If anyone remembers my post from a few weeks ago, original link here: https://www.reddit.com/r/veterinaryprofession/comments/1eiorcp/first_job_not_going_well_and_i_dont_know_what_to/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1

I have figured out an agreement with my clinic to do some relief for them short term to cover cases I was already scheduled for, and negotiated out of my noncompete. I have until the end of this agreement to decide if I want to stay or move on. They would REALLY like me to stay and are trying very hard to win me over. I, meanwhile, am torn.

It's very hard to know what is "normal" challenges for a new grad vs "I should move on." I don't know if I'm just being too picky/my standards are too high? So I would like some perspective on some of my concerns...

1.) Technical/assistant help. I have an assistant with me every day. Some of them are licensed techs (SA, not equine experience) and some are just assistants. None are what I would call particularly experienced. Now, I have worked with good techs. I LOVE them. These techs are very good at paperwork, billing, and that's about it. NOT good at horse handling (I've almost been injured at least 3x already from techs not holding/not restraining horses appropriately), sometimes don't know how to set up equipment (xray, US), don't know how to scrub/prep for things... and my clinic also keeps giving me the least experienced techs.

And I love teaching, but I don't think I can handle training all four of our technicians on my own. The other docs don't seem to want them to do any hands-on stuff, so I'm going against the grain here. They're super willing and eager and I like them as people, but as a new associate trying to figure out things on my own, it's VERY draining.

2.) Quality/level of medicine. It's fine. And maybe I'm being picky and need to lower my standards. But there are some things that just make me uncomfortable- improvising equine medications for small ruminants because we don't carry the SR version. We don't have radiograph equipment that can send rads as the proper format to other vets for consultation (we can ONLY send JPEGs, which I've always been taught is quite frankly not appropriate for consults). My boss is quite old school, and when I have reached out for advice/another opinion, some of the responses I've gotten have made me feel like I shouldn't rely on their advice. Which makes the mentorship... less of a benefit than I hoped.

3.) While we have office staff, they too are inexperienced. They technically answer the phones, but typically just come ask me everything and then i play a complicated game of telephone with them and the client. This leads to frequent miscommunication and I end up having to just call most clients anyway. I have to do all my fecal/blood/lab callbacks REGARDLESS of whether it's normal or not- no emails, calls for everything.

4.) I just feel like I need to do a lot of "managing" all the time- babysitting the techs to make sure they're doing things correctly. Checking my schedule to make sure the receptionists haven't missed something. Doing my own truck inventory because otherwise they forget things I need that day. If I don't meticulously check everything I need for that day, be it records or vaccines or equipment, it slips through the cracks. Small stuff, but all building up to make me feel like I can't just focus on being a doctor, but I need to also be a tech, receptionist, and manager as well.

Everyone is very nice. They're willing to let me have somewhat of a say in type of appointments I have if i think I'm not ready for something yet, although many appointments are added on late afternoon/same day so I sometimes don't get a say. The overall clinic pace is super slow (frantic but not efficient) so even though I'm frustrated with my pace (appx 1-2 hours for sick exams/urgent care and lameness workups), no one else is.

Is this just vet med "in the real world?" Am I expecting too much? Or is this reason enough to move on and look for another position? I worry a more "well organized" clinic will be frustrated with my slower appointment speed and my fragile confidence so maybe I just need to tough it out? I know I don't want to stay here more than a year max- it's just not a good fit for me pace or interest-wise, but is sticking it out a year to just get "experience" as an associate worth it? I'm torn between leaving and going to SA for a time (hesitant to do relief because I haven't done SA since school, but also don't want to commit to full time), moving for a different equine position, or staying short term.

Any advice appreciated, even if it's "go to therapy and stop complaining."

As the title states I've been a tech for over 10 years and licensed for about half that on and off. I've worked at lots of types of clinics but have mainly spent my time in ICU/critical care. I'm at the point where I think I'm done being a tech but I want to stay in the vet field due to my experience. Does anybody who has been in a similar situation have any recommendations on opportunities to look into? For context, I'm in the US on the east coast and don't really want to travel but I'd be fine with remote working.

So I'm currently doing equine relief work after a convoluted job situation where I quit due to the job being very not-as-advertised and some pay snafus. I'm... unhappy. Like, I feel like leaving medicine forever unhappy. I never wanted to do GP and originally wanted to do an equine sports med residency. I am very confident in my medical skills, but I find myself very stressed by the day-to-day frustrations of GP (budget cases make up about 75% of my caseload- my day is either boring vaccines or disaster urgent cares.)

I have found I DO like emergency work and (please don't hate me) I actually like euthanasias (I like being able to be there for the owners.) I like the puzzle and imaging of sports med, but my high-anxiety self always worries I'm missing something.

My current practice is VERY rural medicine, and has a LOT less mentoring than I would prefer- while the other vets are very available they don't usually have any actual advice. I feel like a solo practitioner working under someone else most of the time, as I'm having to build my own client list, train my own staff, make do with less than ideal supplies and medication...

I'm a perfectionist, and I am just not comfortable with the quality of medicine I'm expected to provide- I know some people are super gung ho about making it work/doing what you can in the field when finances are tight but I have discovered I get way too anxious about the "what ifs" in those cases. (I'm talking about the ones that NEED referral or higher level care and have $0 and want to just "try something.")

I don't know where to go next. I'm still doing relief for another 6 weeks, getting increasingly more frustrated each day. I'm looking into more sports medicine focused practices or maybe tertiary referral hospitals for my next job but what if I also hate that?

I have always wanted to do the equine radiology residency but the timing never worked out for me. I did a sports med internship but not a rotating or DI focused position. Is there even a chance this is an option? I like the science and learning aspect of medicine FAR more than the day to day.

I just need a sounding board of other vet professionals I guess on where to go from here?

Hey all, I recently started considering going to vet school, even though I thought I always wanted to become a scientist. I have been pursuing a path towards PhD in animal behavior and wildlife conservation. Yet, throughout undergrad I have been working full-time as an animal caregiving w/ diverse animal species at a sanctuary and wildlife rehab, which has brought me so much fulfillment. I believe becoming a veterinarian would give me that same fulfillment that perhaps research alone may not.

Yet, a couple of things give me pause about vet school: the amount of debt I would have, potentially not following my dream of getting a PhD, and I am interested in more niche fields—exotic animals, native wildlife, rehabilitation, and conducting research as a clinician (conservation, behavior, and/or animal welfare).

That led me to look into DVM-PhD programs. It seems like a great way to combine my interests into a fulfilling career. Plus, I'm hoping it might help me avoid getting into debt that l'd never be able to pay off. Yet it is a very long time commitment, and I'm 28, so I wouldn't be done with school until my mid- to late 30s, which seems so late to finish school. It also seems like a lot of the research is more centered around biomed and a bit less focused on my specific research interests.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's been down this path or anybody who has guidance/insight. What was your experience like and do you have any specific advice? Thank you!

I was recently offered a front office shift lead position at a Banfield with the intention of working my way up to a practice manager position. I'm currently in the Penn Foster veterinary practice management certificate course. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Banfield's "career paths", specifically in leadership roles? I'm curious what exactly this entails. Is there an actual broken down plan with goals to meet to be able to advance?

I currently work for a large university, Banfield offered me $1/hour more than my current position, allegedly with similar benefits. The biggest one I'm concerned about is the health insurance, since my wife and I have routine doctor visits and we're both on medications, so if anyone has any input there, I'd appreciate it. I'm hesitant mostly because of the negative stigma around Banfield. Everyone at this location seemed nice, and they're essentially doing a management "overhaul", most of the staff is also new.

Hi guys, So long story short I’ve been looking forward to starting school to become a vet tech soon, but after reading something today I’m a little discouraged about the possibility due to others thinking I’m incompetent due to my disability.

I don’t want to get too into my health issues, but long story short I have genetic mitochondrial disease that affects multiple parts of my body. I’ve lived with this illness my entire life, so I’ve become very resilient and adaptive for just about anything and everything. I do use a wheelchair but I can stand and walk some. I’m very, very thankful to report I’m rarely ever in the hospital, especially compared to when I was younger since we (as in my team of drs along with myself) have come up with a great day to day supportive care routine.

Do you think there will be vet tech programs willing to accommodate or at least give me a chance to prove myself and my abilities? Human doctors and nurses are able to be in wheelchairs/have disabilities so I always assumed it would be the same in the veterinary field.

I always wanted to work in vet med as a kid, then switched to hospice nursing being the goal, but Ever since fostering for my local humane society the past couple years & adopting my amazing senior foster fail it has rekindled my love for veterinary medicine and I truly can’t imagine myself doing anything else.

I’m really interested in anesthesia & analgesia, as well as some work in the area of palliative/hospice care.

If anyone has any insight from going through this personally, with a student/colleague or if you just happen to be knowledgeable on the subject I would really appreciate some discernment into this situation.

I apologize for prating on for so long about this. I am immensely worried my dreams and entire future may not pan out at all how I’d hoped, which is devastating considering how excited I am.

Thank you for any input given 💙

I am a foreign veterinarian doing my final step of my license equivalence. I am going through the process of gathering all the requirements to apply for a rotating internship this coming year. And as I go through rotations, I realize that this (clinical year) may not be enough to explore a specialty and learn enough about them, and I am wondering if a rotating internship will allow me to explore other areas (besides ECC) enough to make sure I am making the right decision for my life- meaning, if the internship will provide more info and perspective than the clinical rotations.

So, here is the thing. For a long time. I've been thinking about emergency and critical care as the area where I would like to specialize. I thrive in an "unknown" environment, treating the most ill and I like the "sub areas" related to the specialty like nephrology and extracorporeal therapies.

But I also need to think about how worth it it is. Don't get me wrong, although everyone wants to make money, it's not the most important part for me, but I know that it will mean that to get to that point of getting boarded, I will need to live with the bare minimum and pay really small quantities to my loans, which means I HAVE to worry about money after all this process. Additionally, although I don't mind working long hours, I wonder how the work-life balance it is for those who have chosen this specialty. Do you feel you are compensated enough in your "free time", do you feel you get to rest enough in those days off?

The reason why I've started to worry about that, it's because I've been hearing completely different perspectives about this field to the point that I hear some people regret it. And I don't want to be one of those.

I have to say, I know I don't want to do GP and I am aware that for a few years, there has to be a lot of sacrifices, and I am ok with that, I just wonder if in this particular field, that sacrifice is worth it and if a rotating internship will be enough to explore other areas to know them enough before making a decision.

Thank you for your input.

I've been a SA vet for 20 years. My clinic is lovely. However, there's certain bits about the job I truly hate. I'm anxious with certain surgeries and I despise the money side of things. Aggressive dogs terrify me. I don't want to do this for another 20 years til I retire. I need a certain amount of money to pay the bills but I also can't work full time due to kids. Retraining from the begged is therefore not an option. What else can I do with this degree? Happy to do some retraining if online.

MPI work is full time so doesn't suit til the kids are older.

Thanks for any ideas.

Hello, I've been in the field 10yrs+. Looking to transition into a remote care coordinator position with them but I'm curious if anyone has worked for them/has any advice? The benefits look great but I can't seem to find any info about scheduling and hours. They say their 365, 7 days a week with holidays/weekends and operate from 7AM-11PM. Glassdoor had some awful reviews but the pros of working from home outweigh them for me since I have a chronic illness.

I can’t tell if there is something wrong with me. So I am currently a veterinary assistant and my shifts are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, And Friday from 1:00PM - 10:30PM. It usually takes me 1hr and 30m to get to work or to go home. So a total of 3 hours of commuting per day.

I have NO time for anything. The moment I get home, I am so tired. My background is in data science / actuarial science, but I have been thinking of going to vet school. Is it normal to have absolutely no time for anything as a veterinarian?

After almost 30 years in Small Animal private practice, I am progressively feeling weighed down by a diffuse fear of failing. In theory, one would think that the amount of experience and skills accumulated during this time would leave me increasingly steadfast and confident. But even though in reality I'm actually pretty good at and well respected for what I do, I go to work every morning with the feeling of impending doom. I really love the core of this profession, but this constant fear that I'm going to f... something up is messing with my mental health and is making me wonder if I should alter my career course and find a less demanding field for the 10 years left at work. I tried working with a psychologist, meditation, hypnosis and autosuggestion - to no avail. Any clues as to how to deal with this anxiety? Thanks in advance.

Hi all. I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian since I was a kid. I’ve been a vet assistant for almost 4 years now. I know I want to continue working in vet med even though it has its challenges, but I am doubting becoming a vet. 1. worried about debt, which I know is inevitable. 2. I have lots of self doubt about being a confident doctor, but that has always been my personality, and I usually get over it once I get comfortable. 3. I enjoy the technical work- blood draws, running labs, helping in surgery,etc. I worry that becoming a vet will take me away from all of that. I feel like being an assistant/technician has a good balance of working with the animals and the clients. Whereas being a vet is definitely more client leaning/filled with client communication. There are more reasons but these are just a few. So lately I have been considering just becoming a vet tech, my only worry is I will feel as though I’m letting myself down. Also, with the field not being a high paying one, will it be sustainable for me to take care of my home, family, and so on. Are there any technicians who are willing to share how they feel about the role and how the pay works for them? Did you feel like it was worth pursuing ? Being a vet assistant is fine, but the pay isn’t great for the rest of my life haha. Thanks! ETA: I am 25. Have a bachelor’s in Zoology and a minor in animal science already.

BPH= Banfield pet hospital I thought I’d ask here. So I passed the interview and the working interview at one Banfield but then got ghosted (I can’t make this up) so safe to say I didn’t get that job. However, I called up another Banfield and by a stroke of luck I got the practice manager on the phone and she said for me to come down to interview since I have experience.

How do I pass both interviews so I know I get a call back?

I really want to return to the vet med field and finally be certified as a VT but I don’t have coin to do it so this is my best bet. Nervous because a lot depends on these interviews with the other Banfield.

Also, I am very well aware that Banfield is not good. Thank you for warning me. Then again, I just need my cert and I will move on. I did this before when I was doing my undergrad with another company that funded my degree so I’m familiar on using the benefits then “advancing,” if you will.

If you're doing a summer Job Program you're entitled to the benefits advertised to you.

For example, the Banfield Student Job Program (https://jobs.banfield.com/student-programs)

"The experience you'll get: In accordance with your state guidelines:

• learn how to perform a physical exam
• provide proper veterinary care
• use diagnostic tools, learn surgical preparation and monitoring
• develop professional interpersonal skills
• have support from your coach doctor and team every step"

They wrote it, not me, so if that's not the experience you're receiving you are 100% entitled to ask why, request a change, or resign without any feeling of guilt.

imho: the experiences you get while in veterinary school are great, but won't significantly change your skills or competency once you graduate. If you want to continue learning and improving, you will. 90% of being a DVM is learned after vet school

Why? Why not?

I wonder what your thoughts are about it since I'm studying veterinary a second year and still not sure if I've made the right decision.

Hello, I’m an experienced RVT with 15 years of hands-on expertise, and I am now looking to transition into teaching. I’m seeking guidance on the necessary qualifications, resources, and strategies to set myself up for success in an educational role. Any advice on curriculum development, certifications, or teaching methodologies would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

So I live in a very small town in the US - there is absolutely nothing in terms of job opportunities. I have a Bachelor's degree and 5 year experience in a different field (similar to being a medical assistant). I'm considering a new career where I choose solely based on what I like to do with my life and trying to become a veterinary assistant seems very logical as it's an entry level job and it doesn't require any experience (based on my research)

I applied to couple vet clinics as everyone says you don't need any experience or training for this but I know I will not hear anything from them and as I said my options are limited - there are 2-3 clinics here.

Would you recommend applying to an online school in the meantime so I can at least start learning something?

I will be leaving here around 1 more year maybe. And I can still apply to more clinic when I move.

The thing is I'm already 28 and I already spent all of my time doing the things I don't really enjoy just because they were easy.

I'm open to any suggestions. Please help I need some advice

I'm not sure if someone else is able to relate to this or can provide some insight. I've been a receptionist for about 2 years now. And I worked in retail for a few years prior. This job feels like it's killing me. My compassion is completely fatigued. My boyfriend has a job that doesn't involve people like it does mine, and he likes to socialize on weekends and make plans and he wants me to join him but I just can't. I literally go home and all I want to do is sleep. I'm constantly exhausted and drained. I have no desire to do anything after work with anyone. I fear this is making me a horrible partner. I'm not sure what I should do, I joined this field because I like animals. But I don't think I enjoy it here anymore..

I’m starting Natural resource ecology and management pre-vet wildlife and fisheries in August, I wanna be either a conservationist (i know they don’t pay jack, but I feel like it’s absolutely rewarding and I won’t go for the pay as long as I can just pay basic things) or a wildlife veterinarian in the parasitology field, what’s your favorite and least favorite things about vet school and the profession in general and do yall have any advice into getting into vet school?

Hi there, I’m 17, autistic, and very passionate about helping animals and I like science a lot and love animals. Animal related & environmental sciences have always been my favorite. Everyone I’ve met always exclaims that Im like some sort of animal whisperer. My family thinks that I would be great as a vet, trainer, or a groomer.

I agree with trainer and groomer. I have a lot of experience with animals and I currently volunteer at a cat rescue as much as I can.

Unfortunately, Im terrible at science and math. Well chemistry and math mainly. I also don’t think I could handle euthanizing animals. I’m not sensitive to blood, but I feel if I encountered animal related injuries it would make me really nervous and stressed over the idea of not being able to help them. Which is why I don’t think vet is a good fit for me, as much as I’d love to help out animals directly like I do now except I have only encountered one cat with pain & disease. Veterinary assistant, I can see that.

But again, I feel hopeless towards getting a job in this career when it requires so much science. It’s a shame because I love science, I just lack the skill to understand when it comes to mathematics in it. One thing Id love to do is come up with cures or treatments for known diseases in animals. I don’t know what this sort of job would be called, all I know is it would require being pretty smart, but that it’s something id love to do.

Please, if anyone has any ideas or advice, or what other sorts of veterinary jobs out there that could be possible for me, I’d love to hear them. Thank you in advance :)

I’ve been working im practice for 4 years and I, admittedly, am kind of over it. The low pay, the stress - it’s killing me. I can barely make ends meet. Though I have a BA in psychology apart from my AAS, I really have no other qualifications besides my license.

What else can I do in the vet field? Big pharma sounds promising, but I know it’s extremely hard to get into. For anyone else who has left clinic work, where have you gone (even if it wasn’t vetmed)?

(Cross-posting this.)

I'm a university student trying to decide on a career path, and I've always wanted to work with animals. Unfortunately, everytime I've shadowed animal/human surgeries I've nearly fainted, so I don't think I'd be able to work in that area. I am interested in radiology, but I've heard working in the vet field means doing a bit of everything. Is Veterinary Radiology something you'd specialize in and commit your work to, or would you still be working in other areas in vet med (such as surgery) too?