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Does your child dream of becoming a veterinarian?

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Thank you to our friends at Royal Canin for sponsoring this post.

I come from a family of animal lovers and I’m raising some myself too!

Back when I was a kid, I had a whole mini-zoo of my own. From newts to pigeons and of course cats and a dog… I had it all. Thankfully my own dad loved having pets galore… so I was in good company.

Some of the best memories from my childhood were of the times I worked at a zoo (yep, I totally did) and then at an animal hospital. The vets and vet techs were my heroes, as were the zookeepers. I looked up to them because of their dedication to their patients and the animals they care for.

My dream was to become a veterinarian and although that dream didn’t come true, I think there is a very good chance that it will for one of my own. I can totally see Emmy being the best animal doctor ever. 

When I heard about the partnership and contest from  Royal Canin, a global leader in pet health nutrition, and Vet Set Go, the first and only community dedicated to aspiring teen and tween veterinarians, launching the 2018 “Become a Veterinarian Camp Contest”, I was so excited to share it all with you!

The contest offers students entering sixth through eighth grade the chance to win a coveted spot at Auburn University’s Junior Vet Camp from July 15-20, 2018. The prize package includes free tuition, meals, and housing!

Three grand prize winners will be chosen to attend the camp to learn about veterinary medicine first-hand in classrooms, laboratories and outdoor facilities. These dedicated students will learn about public health, food, animals, wildlife, anatomy, x-rays, and first aid, as well as gain valuable mentoring about veterinary science careers while on the campus in Auburn, Ala. Over the course of its 125-year history, the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has produced more than 6,400 veterinarians and more than 500 specialists and researchers.

Isn’t that so cool?!

It comes as no surprise to me that Royal Canin USA, the leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition that was founded by a veterinarian in 1968 would be involved with this since they have 50 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders, and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle and therapeutic requirements.

“Royal Canin believes veterinarians are at the core of making a better world for pets, and we recognize the importance of encouraging future veterinarians across the country to pursue their dreams,” said Dr. Brent Mayabb, Royal Canin’s Chief Veterinary Officer and Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “For aspiring veterinarians, it can be difficult to find opportunities where they can get experience working with animals at a young age. This contest is designed to help overcome this challenge and give students access to the world of veterinary medicine.”

Do you have a budding veterinarian in your home? This might be perfect for them!

To enter, students can share their personal story on why they want to become a veterinarian and include a photo of them helping or enjoying time with animals.

How To Enter: Students, with the help of their parents, can enter the contest at https://www.vetsetgo.com/about/become-a-vet-camp-contest between April 2 ̶ May 4, 2018.

Heather Reese
the authorHeather Reese
Heather Delaney Reese is the storyteller and photographer behind the lifestyle and family travel blog, It's a Lovely Life®! For the past decade, she has vacationed over 150 days a year with her family. She is a vegan, and loves being by the water, spending time with her children, husband, 2 Shih Tzus and Cat.

30 Comments

  • Thanks for this post! I actually do have a budding veterinarian, lol! I’ll have to save this post for reference. We aren’t quite old enough to apply. Can’t wait to hear what it might be like!

  • My kids are still young and have no clue what they want to do. And that’s ok – they have plenty of time.

  • My son used to train dogs when he was a teenager. It would be nice for either of my children to want a career as a vet. It’s okay though, I love my cat.

  • My daughter used to want to become a vet, but then she realized that she’d have to see a lot of sick animals. She’s far too sensitive for that.

  • It is such a coincidence that I am reading this and my daughter wants to be a Veterinarian.She is a Junior in High School. She spends extra time volunteering and learning to help animals which is what she did on spring break.

  • I love that there are kids’ camps for every interest now! This sounds like an awesome way to introduce kids to the real work vets do and get them into science.

  • I think if any of our kids think of becoming a veterinarian, we would encourage them to follow that path. We would inform them of the many blessings of caring for animals, as well as what they may see (animals hit by a car or worse), just so they know what they’re in store for.

  • Being a veterinarian would be a love/hate career, I feel. Love seeing dogs and cats on a daily basis, but hating to see animals in pain or near the end of their life. Me personally, it would be more than I can bear. I would never try to persuade my kids not to become a vet, should they feel that’s their dream.

  • I can’t imagine being a vet, I would love being able to help animals but I couldn’t deal with the hurt and death at all. That would be too hard for me.

  • My kids are a little too young to be deciding yet but they do tell me what they might like to do but never mentioned working with animals plus it is very hard to get into .

  • This is an aqesome opportunity or kida to experience more about their dream career. My kids however do not show interest in medical sciences for a career. Nevertheless, they are true blue animals lovers.

  • I love this so much because I wanted to be a Vet when I grew up. What a great story!

  • We’re all huge animal lovers at home. I’m not quite sure if any of my kids would love to be a vet but this is such a good program for those who would like to learn more about the profession.

  • What a fun opportunity!! I wish they had more things like this in all the states. I would have loved that as a kid. 🙂

  • I’m sending this to my sister. Her daughter has wanted to be a veterinarian since she could walk and talk. I truly believe she will be. It would be a great place for her to go.

  • This junior vet camp is so very cool for those kids that would love to be one when they grow up. No better way than to expose them to things early in life.

  • My children love our pets (a dog and three cats), however, none of them dream of becoming a veterinarian. They love volunteering at an animal shelter, but they would not go further to take veterinary science as a future career.

  • What a great opportunity for a youth interested in being a vet or vet tech. Such a great way to introduce them to that while young. We need opportunities like this in every field. Good article.

  • I know how hard vet school is so any program that can help buddy vets is great. It takes a lot of dedication to take care of our furry friends. Plus this program just sounds like so much fun.

  • I don’t see any of my boys wanting to be a veterinarian. but I could see they treat animals with respect. our neighbor’s dog loves our boys because they would give him food especially if we have lots of clean leftovers.

  • My friend’s niece was thinking about becoming a veterinarian but she thought twice about the amount of sick and injured animals she’d have to see on a daily basis. It’s not easy and it can really take a toll on you.

  • My daughter used to want to be a vet, until she got scratched at the vet clinic. We still have pets though and she is sweetest with our cat.

  • I really admire anyone who can be a vet/vet nurse. I couldn’t handle the thought of seeing sick animals day after day but think if this is something I got used to younger I probably would have become a vet

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