New guide to support vet professionals of the future
The guide aims to bust myths about joining the veterinary profession.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched a guide for parents, carers, teachers and careers advisors to help young people achieve their ambitions of working in veterinary medicine.
The guide comes in response to concerns raised by leading veterinary organisations that young people may be deterred by adults from entering the profession because of incorrect information, course funding, or a desire to protect their feelings from failing an application.
Entitled “Applying to study veterinary medicine”, the new guide also comes during National Careers Week (7-12 March) to bust myths about joining the veterinary profession. Topics covered include grades, alternative routes to veterinary medicine, private or state schools and multiple applications.
BVA President Justine Shotton said: “Getting into vet school is a brilliant first step towards an incredible career. But BVA is concerned that some of the most common myths, such as needing all A*s, make it seem completely out of reach for some young people. These misconceptions risk putting potential students off, and we need to help enable parents, carers, teachers and careers advisers to fully support students in making decisions about their career.
She added: “We want to make sure young people are given the correct information to help them reach their potential and realise that becoming a vet can happen for them if they work hard – no matter what their background is. If you’re in a position to advise a young person about their career, please take the time to read our guide or even pass it on to your students so the vets of tomorrow can feel more confident about their chances of applying today.”
The guide has been put together in collaboration with the Association of Veterinary Schools and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC).
AVS president Charlotte Tobin-Williams said: “It’s difficult as a vet student myself to hear more and more comments which are simply not true, and hopefully this document can help spread awareness in particular for parents, carers, teachers, career advisors, and students.
“It would have helped so much if I had one of these documents to look through at high school, as I was also often told that, for example, because I was applying from another country I may struggle at the application process – turns out that wasn't true at all! So I would encourage everyone to have a read, and best of luck with any applications.”
Dr David Bainbridge, chair of the VSC’s Admissions Committee and director of studies in veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge added: “The Veterinary Schools Council welcomes the BVA’s new resource that will help debunk common misconceptions and highlight that veterinary medicine is a profession that is open to everyone.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the BVA and other colleagues in the sector to develop further resources that will ensure that lack of information is not a barrier to aspiring vet students.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
