Animal Careers

Becoming a veterinary surgeon is the dream job of many young animals lovers. 

The role of the vet is one of high stress, high responsibility and high reward. A lot of training and studying goes into becoming a vet and not all that go down that avenue are successful.

A vet is not a person who simply attends to sick animals. He is also the person who has to put the sick animals to sleep. He is the person who cleans up the neglected animals and he is the person that has to with a distressed and vicious animal who needs his help. Of course this job can be highly rewarding but it can also be highly distressing.

Anybody wishing to pursue a career in veterinary surgery should recognize that early planning is essential. A good set of G.C.S.E. results are needed so that the candidate can go on to take the relevant A-levels. Excellent A-level results are required in two science based subjects, a maths based subject is preferred and one other subject is also required. An honours degree is the next step. Only six universities in the United Kingdom offer courses in subjects leading to a veterinary degree. They are, Bristol University, Cambridge University, Liverpool University, Edinburgh University, The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and Imperial College, London. It is important to note that the courses that these institutions offer are subject to change, so it is important to refer to the U.C.A.S. handbook.

Even if a student earns a first class honours degree from one of the above institutes, it does not mean that they automatically become a vet. Quite often supplementary training is required for vets wishing to specialise in certain areas. Certain surgeons prefer to work with certain animals, others prefer to work in certain areas of vet surgery such as anaesthesia or cardiology. But the main job of any vet is to help any animal in need of any emergency treatment  and all vets will be qualified to cover a broad base of procedures.

Other attributes that a vet will find invaluable include a good state of physical health and fitness. The industry also demands that a vet be mobile, so a full and current U.K. driving licence. Business skills are useful, especially if the vet is wishing to set up his own practice. Good communication and social skills will be needed, a vet will inevitably have the unenviable task of telling a person that their pet will need to be put to sleep. This needs to be done in a sensitive yet clear way. This skill can only be acquired through time.

Being a veterinary surgeon requires huge amounts of dedication, experience, professionalism and hard work. But the rewards can be huge. A vet can receive the satisfaction of saving the life of an animal, the salary of a vet is usually very high, but so is the work load.

To find out more, contact:

The Royal College of  Veterinary Surgeons.
Belgravia House.
62 Horseferry Road.
London.
SW1P 2AF.
Telephone-0207 222 2001.

The British institute of professional dog trainers was founded in 1974 in order to compile a register of persons eligible to practice as professional dog trainers. This meant that the dangerous dogs register was needed to monitor and control any animals that acquired certain skills but were not in the correct state of mind to work.

Prior to 1974, security dogs were a lot rarer, therefore of the first sets of security dogs were lower in quality than those that we are used to seeing today at football matches and other events where high profile people may be.

Security dogs can be needed for many reasons, but they are only ever effective when under the control of fully trained and qualified security dog handler. The skills needed to become a security dog trainer are not easily acquired, and certain qualifications are essential before any person can practice as a security dog trainer. To become a security dog trainer a person must either complete a course held at an accredited training centre or pass an exam on the patrol dog training scheme.

The main issues relevant to the successful completion of the assessment of include:

Temperament. This includes appearance and general condition of the dog. A well kept and good looking dog will always command more respect  than a scruffy, unhealthy looking dog.

Control. It is imperative that the handler be able to exercise complete control over the dog. Security work carries with it huge responsibly. Security personnel cannot afford to have a dog in which they do not have complete trust. This is why it is essential for the handlers and trainers to develop a good bond with any dog they work with. Potential security dog handlers will be required to demonstrate their control skills by completing five tasks. The dog must respond to ‘stay’, ‘heel’, ‘sit’ and  ‘stay’, he must remain calm when the handler talks to a stranger, he must be able to get in and out of a patrol vehicle. He must also know how to get through a doorway in the quickest and most efficient way. The handler must be able to pick up the dog and carry him for ten paces.

Agility. This will constitute the dog having to successfully negotiate a hurdle jump and a solid wall jump. This can be done on or off the lead.

Basic detection and protection. This will involve an exercise in which an ‘intruder’ has to be tackled by the dog under the instructions of his handler. This is a good opportunity for the judges to see if the handler has a natural talent for training dogs.

Oral examination. This is when the examiner checks to see if the potential trainer is aware of the legal responsibilities he has as well as the veterinary issues he will need to be aware of in order to look after his dog properly. He will also be expected to fit a muzzle on the dog correctly.
 
The only way a person can become an officially recognized security dog handler is by completing the course set out by the British institute of professional dog trainers (security division.)

Further information can be obtained by contacting:

B.I.P.D.T.
Bowstone gate,
Nr Disley,
Cheshire’SK12AW.