Here are the three main reasons why I wanted to become a veterinarian. I believe they also explain why I’ve been successful both professionally and personally. Because after twelve years of practice, I still love my job. Whenever a young person is interested in becoming a companion animal veterinarian, I share my original motivations with them. It’s important to truly understand what you’re getting into before committing fully.

1) I love science

I love biology, math, and chemistry. I don’t love physics, but I still had to push myself to study it and earn good grades to reach my goals. Learning how the body works, how it can suffer from certain conditions, and how it can be repaired through medicine is incredibly fascinating. Modern medicine is amazing, and what we are able to do today as veterinarians leaves me in awe.

That said, it’s important to know that becoming a veterinarian requires a tremendous amount of studying. You must memorize many scientific concepts before being able to practice and help patients. Even after being accepted into veterinary school, you continue learning basic principles that initially seem far removed from the profession itself. But with determination, you get there—and it’s incredibly rewarding.

2) I love people

Veterinarians work closely with their colleagues and team members every day, but also with pet owners. I love building relationships with them and supporting them through both good and difficult times, using a professional and compassionate approach. I love watching their children grow up and come see me with their very first pet. The trust and bond that can develop are almost as incredible as the medicine we get to practice.

As a small animal veterinarian, I must never forget the person on the other side of the exam table or at the end of the leash. And the best way to help an animal is to work as a team with their human.

3) I love animals

This may seem obvious, but it deserves reflection. I love healthy, cute, friendly animals. I also love those with skin problems, kidney disease, or terrible breath. In fact, as a veterinarian, I am the voice of all animals. Since they can’t speak, I sometimes have to “translate” their needs so their families can better understand them. I also love and know animals well enough to help them—and their families—let go when the time comes.

The truth is, I don’t always see puppies and kittens just starting their lives. Watching my patients grow and change through every stage of their lives can bring many challenges. But it is truly rewarding.

In short, I love my profession. It’s a beautiful career with so many possibilities, but it requires perseverance and determination. That’s important to know. Once in the field, daily life is filled with wonderful stories, but also with challenges. All of these aspects of the veterinary profession are important to consider before choosing to practice veterinary medicine. As for me, I wouldn’t change careers for anything in the world. It fulfills me completely. I chose it for the right reasons and followed my heart. Working with animals and their humans is a daily joy.

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Most AHTs are women.

A typical day

Surgical admissions, updating medical records, preparing equipment and supplies, reassuring pet owners, and comfortably settling patients: this is often how AHTs begin their day. Then it’s the veterinarian’s turn to step “on stage.”

Throughout the day, they take part in patient care and assist the veterinarian with many other tasks, much like a nurse on a human healthcare team. Blood draws, lab analyses, medication preparation, surgical assistance, anesthetic monitoring of little furry patients… their days are full!

In the evening, while veterinarians finish charts and return calls, AHTs also wrap up their files, prepare everything needed for the next day, and continue administering care and treatments to hospitalized patients.

What to know about the AHT profession

The AHT diploma is a Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC), earned after a 3-year program. The program is offered at the following institutions:

• Collège Lionel-Groulx (St-Thérèse)
• Vanier College (St-Laurent)
• Cégep de La Pocatière
• Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe
• Cégep de Sherbrooke
• Cégep de St-Félicien
• Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (St-Georges)
• Collège Laflèche (Trois-Rivières)

AHTs are trained to work with companion animals, farm animals, and laboratory animals. They also study animal nutrition, behavior, and grooming. They’re trained to assist professionals in surgical care (anesthesia, monitoring, sterilization), as well as to perform blood and urine sampling and laboratory testing.

AHTs are trained in cardiac resuscitation. Working alongside veterinarians, they can make a real difference in the success of such procedures.

Job prospects for AHTs are excellent: 90% of students find full-time employment immediately after graduation. Some go on to university studies in related fields such as biology or agronomy, or pursue veterinary medicine.

At the end of their third year, AHTs must complete a 5-week full-time internship in a veterinary facility, as well as one or two additional internships (depending on the college and their interests) in research labs, equine settings, exotic animal care, etc.

As a veterinarian, I am extremely proud to work every day alongside AHTs with such big hearts; skilled, dedicated women who place animal well-being at the center of everything they do. ❤️

Pour (ré)écouter ma chronique sur le sujet, au micro de Geneviève Pettersen, c’est ici :

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