Below are Dr. Whitman’s answers:
Now I get to work all over the state of Colorado with not only animal owners and producers, but extension specialists, other veterinarians, students, and livestock industry professionals.
I don’t know all the answers! The biggest thing I’ve had to learn and apply is reaching out to others who know more than I do, that way I can continue to help people in the best way possible
I was raised on a small livestock operation and participated in 4-H throughout my youth. I love agriculture and the livestock industry, and becoming a veterinarian was the best way I saw to impact those fields.
Being a veterinarian has unlimited possibilities for career choices. In my case, I have been in private practice for someone else, and then owned my own practice; I’ve gotten to work on research facilities and teach in veterinary schools. That’s just a few career opportunities I’ve chosen, and there’s so many more. Veterinary medicine touches all areas of life, in places you wouldn’t even think.
At minimum, there are two years of pre-requisite courses that are required before applying to veterinary school. Most people get a bachelor’s (4 year degree) and may get a Master’s degree (1-2 year degree). Veterinary school is 4 years, and after that, you are qualified to practice. If there is a specialty, such as Surgery or Anesthesia, then an additional 1 year internship and 3 year residency are required.
