While many job markets are shrinking, pet-related professions continue to grow. In 2009, it is estimated that Americans spent $45.4 billion on pet-related goods and services, up 5 percent from 2008 despite the bad economy. Veterinary students who attend school near San Bernardino are exposed to contacts, internship opportunities and guest lecturers, all of which can offer an advantage in establishing careers as veterinary professionals in the lucrative Southern California region.
Pre-veterinary Bachelor's Degrees
Becoming a veterinarian involves completing a bachelor's degree, usually in biology or animal science, followed by a doctorate in veterinary medicine, or DVM. There are only 28 veterinary schools in the United States which offer DVM degrees; two of those, Western University and University of California Davis, are located in California. You can complete the bachelor's degree right in San Bernardino, thanks to the University of California San Bernardino's pre-veterinary B.S. degree in biology. A short distance from San Bernardino County, Cal Poly Pomona and La Sierra University also offer a pre-veterinary medicine curriculum.
Four-Year Veterinary Technology Programs
One alternative to becoming a veterinarian is pursuing a career as a veterinary technologist, by completing a four-year program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. One such program is Cal Poly Pomona's Animal Health Technology Program, a bachelor's degree that will prepare you to assist a veterinarian in much the same way that a nurse would assist a doctor. The advantage of a four-year degree over a two-year technician program is the opportunity to work in more advanced research-related jobs.
Two-Year Veterinary Technician Programs
A two-year accredited veterinary technician program is a great way to get into the field quickly without a lengthy educational program. Technicians typically work in private practices under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Due to the limited output of qualified veterinary technicians from accredited programs, the employment outlook for vet techs is very good. Mount San Antonio College offers the opportunity to complete a vet tech program right near San Bernardino through its Animal Health Technology Program.
Veterinary Assistants
While the state of California has licensing requirements for veterinary technologists and technicians, no license is required to be a veterinary assistant. To become a vet assistant, the most helpful training will be hands-on experience. Consider volunteering for the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley, or for another large rescue where you can gain experience working with injured and aggressive animals and assisting with medical procedures.
Distance Learning Programs
If you're a resident of San Bernardino County and interested in a veterinary career but unable to find a program which fits your schedule, there are a number of distance learning programs accredited by the AVMA. A full listing of accredited programs is available at the AVMA website. These online programs are just as valid as traditional in-the-classroom curricula -- even the prestigious Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine has a Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program.
References
- The Press-Enterprise: When people trim holiday spending, animal friends stay in picture, Inland shoppers and store managers say
- La Sierra University: Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- CSA Pomona - Animal Science
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Mt. San Antonio College - Animal Science
- AVMA Accredited Distance Learning Programs
