HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical path starts in secondary school with strong courses in biology, chemistry, math, and English, plus volunteer or part-time experience with animals at clinics, shelters, farms, or stables. Most people then complete a university veterinary medicine degree, often after some post-secondary science study, though exact admission routes can vary by school and province. After graduation, new veterinarians usually gain practical experience through supervised work or entry-level practice in clinics, farms, hospitals, or other animal health settings. Some also move into research, public health, or government work, depending on the role.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Diagnose diseases or abnormal conditions in animals through physical examinations or laboratory tests
- Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds or performing surgery
- Perform routine, emergency and post-mortem examinations
- Inoculate animals to prevent diseases
- Provide obstetrical and dental services
- Advise clients on feeding, housing, breeding, hygiene and general care of animals
- Provide euthanasia services
- May supervise animal health technologists and animal care workers
- May be responsible for overall operation of animal hospital, clinic or mobile service to farms
- May conduct veterinary research
- May enforce government regulations in disease control and food production including animal or animal-based food inspection.