
Many companies offer products and services for pet owners, and veterinarians are often involved in research, sales, technical services, and more. Though only a small percentage of veterinarians work in the animal health industry, there are several opportunities available. With that in mind, shelter veterinarians must be comfortable navigating the unknown with confidence and skill. Shelter medicine can present its own unique challenges, as it’s not uncommon to encounter animals that don’t have any available medical history. One major difference is that they don’t work with pet owners. While shelter veterinarians work with companion animals, their role is significantly different than that of a vet working in a traditional clinic. Veterinary research may also include work with lab animals, ensuring their health and well-being. There are many biomedical research positions available to veterinarians who obtain additional training in a specific field, such as virology or parasitology. Research opportunities can often be found in university settings, but there are numerous other options as well. The field of veterinary research has three primary areas of focus: public health and food safety, animal health and welfare, and comparative medicine. While this is hardly an exhaustive list of the various positions you can pursue, you can learn more about your options by reviewing this sampling of alternative careers for veterinarians. But you may be surprised to learn just how versatile a DVM degree is. Most assume that students who go to veterinary school will inevitably become small animal vets, treating cats, dogs, and other pets in their communities. Join us as we explore a handful of alternative careers for veterinarians and see if you can find one that piques your interest. Many veterinarians will end up in general practice, but there are a number of other options outside of that traditional practice setting. In truth, veterinary medicine is a vast field with a range of different possible career paths you may not have even considered.

Even if you’ve always felt drawn to the idea of studying veterinary medicine, it’s not uncommon for students to enter a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program without a clear idea of the type of career they’ll eventually pursue.
