Skills

Adaptability Planning
Analytical Thinking Positive Attitude
Communication Prioritization
Creativity Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking Professionalism
Customer Service Punctuality
Decision-Making Quantitative Analysis
Delegation Quick Learner
Dependability Reasoning
Detail-Oriented Research Skills
Effective Listening Resourcefulness
Flexibility Responsible
Forecasting Needs Self-Motivated
Honesty & Integrity Taking the Initiative
Follow-Through Teaching Skills
Leadership Teamwork
Mathematics Skills Technical Writing
Multitasking Time Management
Note-Taking Verbal Communication
Organization Willingness to Learn
Patience Working Under Pressure
People Management Written Communication

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Education Requirements

                    

Travel

               

Experience Required

          

Work Environment

                         

                

Overview

A Large Animal Veterinarian (sometime called a Farm or Food Animal or Livestock Veterinarian) is a great career choice for those who enjoy livestock production and who excel in the sciences. These veterinarians work primarily with livestock producers who raise beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, horses and other equine species, as well as other small ruminant species. These veterinarians operate primarily from small, local clinics serving rural areas. The clinic may be the only clinic in the area and veterinarians will likely also perform small animal care. Some Large Animal Veterinarians may work in education, government, or for larger business organizations such as feedlots, or dairy, swine, or poultry operations, or even at race tracks if they focus on equine medicine. Large Animal Veterinarians provide a crucial service to producers and to the overall safety and health of the human food supply, and to a degree the human population. With the new requirements from the Veterinary Feed Directive these veterinarians will have even more responsibilities regarding the proper usage of antibiotics in food animals.

Responsibilitites

Large Animal Veterinarians will work with producers and livestock on a daily basis performing routine care, diagnosing and treating diseases/injuries, prescribing pharmaceuticals, creating documentation for visits and care given, and providing technical advice. Veterinarians will also establish and maintain Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationships (VCPR) and may be asked by clients to help create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), supervise the work of, and assign duties to, Veterinary Assistants and Veterinary Technicians, and oversee other aspects of clinic operation. Other responsibilities include performing surgical procedures, monitoring equipment, ensuring proper equipment calibration and maintenance is performed, monitoring inventory and the security of controlled substances, and attending to emergency calls. All veterinarians will be required to maintain their state licensures and will be required to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Preferred Qualifications

Must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Some schools call the degree a Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD)
Large Animal Veterinarians generally also hold a Bachelor's degree, typically in Animal Science
Must pass a state exam for licensure in each state of practice
Many veterinarians complete an internship after graduation (about one year) to gain experience
Many veterinarians complete a residency of around 2-3 years to achieve board certification in a specialty

This Job Might Be For You If...

You enjoy the sciences, particularly biology
You are good with numbers
You enjoy working with farm animals and producers
You would like to own your own business
You work well in a team environment
You are organized, methodical, and detail-oriented
You have good leadership and management skills
You have good communication skills