Endless Learning...

In the veterinary profession we have this thing called continuing professional development (as encouraged by the rcvs). It is encouraged that this attitude to eternal learning begins at university, and as such one of my first tasks as a veterinary student was to write in my personal development portfolio (PDP). This is shared online porfolio that can act as a diary or a discussion board. And our first task was to answer the question 'why do i want to be a vet?' i feel this is also a good place to start with this blog...

Simple question it seems, but infact it took me quite a while to formulate an answer that would sum up all my feelings towards the career and why it is one which i wish to pursue.

I could have just answered this with the same things (nearly) everyone says: always what I wanted to do, interest in science, love animals, challenging career, earn a decent wage (or atleast not have to worry about money) yada yada yada...

And when i applied to university, I’m pretty sure i said something along those lines in my personal statement. But to be honest not all of that is true. so why do i want to be a vet?

I see the career as an enticing one, with many challenges and rewards. But if im honest, my pursuit of the course and the ultimate career has always been driven more by my interest in the subject matter (particularly how the body works and how we can correct it when it doesn’t, or trauma compromises it) rather than any ‘love’ for animals. I never have been one to show over sensitisation of animals, and I never preferred the company of them to that of humans. Sure, ill coo when faced with a cute puppy or kitten, that's only human. But its the science, the bringing together of knowledge to solve a medical problem, that makes me tick.

I feel am less naïve now than I was when applying to university. I no longer consider domestic animals our equals, they are there purely because we allow, and in some cases, force them to be. We manipulate them for our own gain and pleasures. And I feel the role of the vet, or atleast the vet I would like to become, is not to challenge this, but to embrace it. To control it, so that we can get the most out of these animals, without it having detrimental affects to their health, wellbeing and general happiness. I feel the role of vets is to oversee that the public do not exploit animals and cause undue suffering, either through cruelty or through ignorance. And this is why I wish to be a vet, so I can play a part, make a contribution to society. And in doing this, have a career which stimulates me, and through its diversity, keeps me enthralled.

So thats why im here...