Veterinarians must complete between 45 and 90 hours of additional undergraduate coursework in science, math, and biology plus four years of medical school.

Similar to human medical programs, competition for acceptance into veterinary medical school is fierce: Only one out of three applicants was accepted to veterinary medical school in 2004.

Write Questions Down Before Going to the Clinic Ever leave the veterinary clinic and realize that you forgot to ask the three questions you’d wanted to get answered? To get the best healthcare for your pet, ask your veterinary professionals questions. And to remember them while you’re sitting in the clinic, we suggest writing them down.

There are 32 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada , and almost 80 percent of the students are now female.

The fact that women outnumber men in veterinary school is significant considering that 20 years ago only half of all graduates were women, said Andrew Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD, associate executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

It is also noteworthy to mention that women are taking leadership roles in veterinary academia.

There are now five female deans in North America . Shirley Johnston, DVM, PhD, DACT, became the first female dean of a veterinary medical school in 1998 when she accepted the title of founding dean of Western University of Health Sciences.

While the profession dates back to 1800 B.C., Ontario Veterinary College is the oldest accredited veterinary school operating in North America . Elizabeth Stone, DVM, MPP , MS , became dean of that college in 2005.

Veterinary medical school students graduate with Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degrees, and must pass state examinations before practicing medicine.

In addition to the private practice of veterinary medicine, veterinarians succeed in several professional fields including research, academia, business, and public health. They influence national decisions that are made regarding public health to prevent animal diseases from infecting the general public.

The next issue of PetsMatter will include information on certified or registered veterinary technicians, who play an important role in every pet’s visit to the veterinary clinic.