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What are Pros and Cons of Being a Veterinary Assistant?

Following are some of the many pros to being a veterinary assistant. If you're thinking about pursuing this career, definitely keep these things in mind.

Pro No. 1 - You get to work with animals every day

If you love animals, this is definitely the job for you! You will get to help care for them and make sure they're healthy and happy. A career in veterinary medicine is extremely rewarding for those who love animals and enjoy learning new things.

Pro No. 2 - Plenty of jobs

Veterinary assistant jobs can often be found in a variety of locations. This means that you might be able to find a job in your area, no matter where you live. Some of the locations you might find these jobs include veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and zoos.

Pro No. 3  - Good job security

Veterinary assistants typically have good job security. With so many pet owners out there, there will always be a need for people who can help take care of animals. This is a stable and growing industry, so you can be confident that your job will be there for years to come.

Pro No. 4 - You get to choose your work environment

You can choose what kind of vet you want to assist, which means you can choose your work environment. You may want to work out on the farms with large animals, in the city with dogs and cats, or even inside of a lab for those who are conducting research.

Pro No. 5 - Training can be completed within 6 months

You can complete your training in just a few months, making it possible to start working with animals sooner rather than later. So, if you’re looking for a way to work with animals without going to college for eight years, becoming a vet assistant may be the right choice for you.

Pro No. 6 - More work opportunities as you grow

As a vet tech, you will have the opportunity to learn about new breeds of dogs and cats, as well as their medical conditions.

You will also be able to observe and assist in a variety of medical procedures, from routine vaccinations to surgery. As you gain experience, you may even have the opportunity to branch out into other areas of veterinary medicine, such as research or teaching.

Pro No. 7 - You don't have to worry about what to wear to work

When you become a veterinary assistant, one of the first things you will notice is that you don't have to worry about what to wear to work. Instead of worrying about dry cleaning bills, you can just pop your scrubs in the wash and be good to go. This is a huge relief for many people, who are used to having to dress up for work every day. For those who have to wear suits or other expensive clothing, it can be a real financial burden

Pro No. 8 - You get discounts on services and products

One of the great things about this job is that you often get discounts on services and products for your own pets. Most veterinary practices offer their employees discounts on services and products, so this can be a great way to save money on your own pet's care.

Pro No. 9 - Opportunity to travel and networking

As a veterinary assistant, you will have the opportunity to travel to different conferences and seminars with your veterinarian employer. This can be a great way to see new places and meet new people. You will be able to learn more about animal health and medicine, as well as networking with other professionals in the industry.

Pro No. 10 - Opportunity to work with rare animals

You might get to work with exotic animals. If you are interested in working with animals that are not commonly seen in veterinary clinics, this could be the job for you. You might get to work with reptiles, birds, or even small mammals.

Pro No. 11 - Very rewarding experience

One of the best things about being a veterinary assistant is that you get to see animals recover from illnesses and injuries. This can be a very rewarding experience, and it's something that you can really take pride in. When an animal is able to get better because of your help, it's a great feeling.

Con No. 1 - Exposure to sick animals

As a veterinary assistant, you will be working with sick animals on a regular basis. This can expose you to diseases and parasites.

Con No. 2 - Zoonotic diseases

There is a risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be passed from animals to humans) when working with sick animals.

Con No. 3 - Grieving pet owners

Working with grieving pet owners can be one of the most difficult parts of the job. It's hard to see someone go through the pain of losing a pet, and sometimes you may feel like you don't know what to say or do to help.

Con No. 4 - Animal suffering and death

Veterinary assistants witness first hand the suffering that some animals go through. They also must deal with animal deaths on a regular basis.

Con No. 5 - Euthanasia

One of the most difficult aspects of the job is having to euthanize animals that are too sick or injured to be helped. This can be one of the most difficult aspects of the job. It's hard to see an animal in pain and know that you're the one who has to end its life.

Veterinary assistants must be able to handle euthanasia procedures calmly and efficiently, and they must also be able to comfort grieving pet owners.

Con No. 6 - Long and unpredictable hours

You never know when an animal will need medical attention, so working as a veterinary assistant means being on call at all hours of the day and night.

One more thing to keep in mind is that, as a veterinary assistant, you will be working with people who are experiencing a lot of stress and emotion. You need to be able to handle that, as well as being able to work long hours on your feet.

Con No. 7 - You will get dirty

Some of the animals you work with will be sick or injured, which means you may have to deal with some sanitation nightmares. Part of your job will be to take fecal samples, urine samples, and more. And if you are assisting with surgery or other procedure, you’ll be working with blood, pus, and other bodily fluids. But it’s important to remember that this is all part of the job – and there are ways to make it a little easier.

Con No. 8 - Low pay

Pay is not always great. Starting salaries for veterinary assistants are usually around minimum wage. Starting salaries are usually around $31,780 per year. However, there are many ways to advance in the field and earn more money.

Is Being a Vet Assistant Hard?

The short answer is yes, being a vet assistant can be hard. The long answer is that it depends on what you are looking for in a job. If you are expecting an easy job where you just get to play with puppies all day, then you'll probably be disappointed.

However, if you are willing to work hard and learn about animal care, then you will find that being a vet assistant can be both rewarding and challenging. Veterinarians rely on their assistants to help care for animals, and this can involve everything from cleaning cages to giving injections.

It's important to be able to handle the physical demands of the job, as well as the emotional demands of working with sick and injured animals.

In addition, vet assistants need to be able to work well under pressure and follow instructions carefully. If you are up for the challenge, then a career as a vet assistant might be right for you.

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