When it comes to choosing a career, most people don’t think of veterinarians as being among the most well-paid. However, they are also among the most essential, and they are certainly among the most rewarding careers one can pursue.
Veterinarians are responsible for diagnosing and treating animal illnesses and injuries, and they also perform surgeries and help owners care for their pets. In addition, veterinarians are also responsible for diagnosing and treating animal diseases, and they also help to ensure that livestock and pets are healthy enough to be bred.
In short, veterinarians are responsible for helping animals live full, healthy lives, and they also help to ensure that animals continue to populate the earth.
As a result, becoming a veterinarian is an incredibly rewarding career, and it’s one that many people dream of pursuing. However, it’s also a career that’s quite challenging, and it comes with a lot of requirements.
For starters, veterinarians need to earn a doctorate degree, which is known as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or DVM. In order to earn a DVM, students must first earn a bachelor’s degree, which they typically do by attending a veterinary school.
In addition, veterinarians must be licensed in every state in which they practice. In order to become licensed, they must pass the National Veterinary Medical Licensing Exam, which is also known as the Veterinary Technician National Examination.
As you can see, becoming a veterinarian is a challenging career that involves a lot of schooling and testing. Because of this, it’s important to choose the right school when you’re preparing to become a veterinarian.
Today, we’ll be discussing the best schools in Idaho for those who want to become veterinarians. We’ll talk about the requirements for each school, as well as some of the programs and opportunities that each school offers.
Brigham Young University - Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho was established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1900 as a preparatory school for BYU. It wasn't until 1955 that the school began offering a handful of veterinary studies.
As one of the few schools that offers vet studies at the bachelor's level, BYU-Idaho is a good choice for those who want to get a solid foundation before going on to earn their DVM.
In addition to their bachelor's degree in animal science, students can also earn a certificate in animal sciences, an associate of science degree in animal sciences, or an associate of arts degree in animal and veterinary sciences.
Students in the animal science program learn about animal production, including how to care for livestock and poultry, as well as pet care and management. In addition, students gain hands-on experience through internships and practical labs, in which they care for animals in a simulated production environment.
Through these labs, students learn about animal health care, including how to take care of sick animals, perform surgery, and handle emergencies. Students also study veterinary medicine at the bachelor's and master's levels at BYU.
Boise State University
Boise State University is the only school on this list that has a branch of the College of Veterinary Medicine located outside the state of Idaho. The main campus in Boise has a branch in Meridian, Idaho that houses the school's bachelor's and master's degree programs in animal science.
However, that doesn't mean that the Boise branch doesn't have plenty to offer those hoping to one day become veterinarians. The branch offers three major tracks in animal science, including an emphasis on large animal veterinary medicine, small animal veterinary medicine, and production animal veterinary medicine.
Students in the BSU veterinary school gain hands-on experience working with a variety of large and small animals, as well as advanced equipment and laboratories. The school has partnerships with several large farms and veterinary clinics across the country, allowing students to work with a wide range of animals and settings.
BSU's veterinary school is also home to a variety of research and teaching laboratories, including ones focused on animal anatomy and pathology, large animal surgery, and infectious disease.
The branch campus also houses the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW), a professional association for animal welfare professionals that was founded by BSU faculty members.
College of Southern Idaho
The College of Southern Idaho is the only college in the state to offer a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. Students in the two-year program gain hands-on experience as they learn to care for animals and accrue the knowledge required to pass the Veterinary Technology National Exam.
The program consists of three main parts: a core curriculum that all students in the program must complete, a technology concentration that students can choose to pursue in their second year, and a veterinary technology certificate program that students can pursue on a part-time or full-time basis.
In the core curriculum, students learn the foundational sciences that veterinary technicians need to know, including animal biology, veterinary technology, and veterinary technology practice. They also gain hands-on experience in the animal care and health track, where they learn how to handle and care for animals.
In the technology concentration, students study topics such as animal anatomy and physiology, pathology and surgery, and animal reproduction and lactation. They also gain experience working in a veterinary practice as they complete clinical rotations in hospitals and private practices.
North Idaho College
As one of the best schools in the state, North Idaho College has a veterinary technician program that prepares students for a career as a veterinary technician.
The program requires that participants complete around 200 hours of experience working with animals in a clinic or hospital.
Upon completion of this experience and other required courses, students can earn a certificate in veterinary technology. Those who already have the required experience but not the courses can take them through the program on a part-time basis.
Courses include animal anatomy and physiology, veterinary medical terminology, pathology, and animal hospital practice.
Students also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a hands-on setting by working at the North Idaho College Veterinary Technology Center in Lewiston. At the center, participants work with local veterinarians and provide services such as blood draws, ultrasounds, and dental cleanings.