Are you drawn to avowed animal lovers? Do you dream of dating your own Dr. Doolittle? Here are some tips when you want to date a vet:
Understand the veterinarian’s job
Keep in mind that not all veterinarians work in private practice. Although we tend to have an image of vets working hard to keep our pets healthy and safe, the truth is that the most lucrative pay among veterinarians is usually paid to those who work for the government and private companies, which can mean difficult days running tests in places like research labs. This can be incredibly stressful work and therefore very difficult to “leave behind” at the end of the day. In fact, the rate of suicides is highest among veterinarians as compared to their peers in other aspects of medical professions (dentists, chiropractors, medical doctors, etc.) regardless of whether they work in research labs or private practice. Vets are also four times more likely to commit suicide than the average person. Further, many veterinarians continually experience what is termed “compassion fatigue,” which is related to post traumatic stress disorder, due to the nature of their work. Also keep in mind that on occasion a person chooses to go into veterinary medicine because he or she is not particularly a “people person” and better relates to animals. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when dating a vet, since you might have special concerns about being on the lookout for signs of depression.
Be okay with random work hours
Remember also that the work the person you’re dating does is not all about cats, dogs, and other small domestic animals. Rather, veterinarians often also work with larger animals like cows and horses. This can mean working unpredictable hours and being called away at an inconvenient time to make a house call, or volunteering at events like rodeos and equestrian exhibitions. If you are the type to be easily put off by your date’s other commitments sometimes disrupting previously made plans, then this relationship will go to the dogs.
Deal with their commitment to the career
It is important that you understand that getting into veterinary school is much more difficult than getting into medical school because of the limited openings on an annual basis makes it highly competitive. Additionally, vets must learn about many types of animals whereas medical doctors only have to become experts on the human body. Vets therefore tend to be very diligent and committed to their work since they worked so hard to get into school and commit all their knowledge to applicable memory.
Guys have a better chance of dating a vet…
If you are actively seeking to date a vet, be aware that you have a much greater chance of doing so if you are male since the vast majority of people enrolled in veterinary schools or practicing in the discipline are female, a trend that has been on a continued upswing for several years. Your chances further increase if you live near one of the 28 veterinary schools in the United States. You might also consider volunteering at a local clinic or shelter where you would be more likely to come into contact with a person in this profession.
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