Calling All Tween Future Veterinarians and Their Parents: Pursue Your Dream Job Now with Vet Set Go
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (PRWEB) January 19, 2016 -- While many adults are still trying to figure out what they want to do professionally, it turns out one in five tweens (aged 9 to 14) have made it clear — they want to be veterinarians. Unlike other career goals, this one is most likely to stick.
Today, 65 percent of practicing veterinarians state they knew they wanted to be a veterinarian before the age of 13. To foster this passion, Christopher Carpenter, DVM, created Vet Set Go — the first and only book and web community of its kind — to provide valuable information for tweens and teens as well as their parents and grandparents looking to feed a young person’s interest in animals by opening doors to veterinary medicine now.
According to Dr. Carpenter, veterinary medicine is a true calling, not just a whim or fancy of a child but rather a critical path in life. The newly released book — available at VetSetGo.com — outlines many ways young people can gain experience working with animals now — from shadowing a veterinarian and attending veterinary or zoo camps across the country to pet-sitting and fostering a pet through an animal shelter.
Consider Kate, Logan and Alyssa:
• Kate, 12-years old, has always demonstrated a fascination for animals and has taken the lead in caring for her three cats, African Grey parrot, cockatiel, rabbit and two fish. Last summer she attended Animal Adventure Camp in Ohio where was able to further explore her dream.
• Even before he hit his tween years, Logan, now 15 years old, knew he wanted to be a vet. When his mom saw how much he loved caring for his animals at home and at the local shelter, she enrolled Logan in Tiger Tails Summer Camp where he earned the “Most Likely to Become a Vet” award.
• And it was no surprise to Alyssa’s parents when one morning the 12-year-old — who is devoted to caring for her dog, three cats, hamster and her beloved sugar glider — while telling everyone she plans to become a vet — asked if she could miss school to go to her cat’s veterinary appointment “just to watch what the vet does.”
Like these young aspiring veterinarians, Dr. Carpenter discovered his calling when he was 11 years old. “I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian, but all I ever heard from both my family and others was ‘Well, you better learn science then.’ I didn’t know any vets to talk to about my dream and I never knew about veterinary camps for kids until I started this research for Vet Set Go,” he said. “But the reality is there are many creative ways to foster an interest in animals and teach science concepts. Future vets learn science through the love of animals. Animals are a great way to get more kids involved in science — and guide young minds to our profession or related science professions.”
Dr. Carpenter has created Vet Set Go! as a “how-to,” particularly for tweens, providing checklists, action plans, introductory letters and thank you notes. To compliment the book, VetSetGo.com is the first and only web community designed for aspiring tween veterinarians to virtually shadow veterinarians and share their experiences. The Vet Set Go community is created for tweens and teens to explore the science of taking care of animals, meet veterinarians from all over the country and take a peek into their practices through the video series called “Meet the Vets.” The website also invites program managers from camps, zoos, foster programs and other veterinary educational opportunities from all over the country to post their programs for tweens at http://www.vetsetgo.com/join/activities.
Tips from Dr. Carpenter to foster your child’s passion for veterinary medicine:
1. Look for opportunities now. Don’t wait. Aligning a tweens interest now can encourage more interest in science and biology, opening additional career paths.
2. Any and all animal exposure is important. Animal experience is the best way to help children determine the direction they want to pursue.
3. Get Connected. Talk to your local veterinarian, animal lovers, and future veterinarians to help foster your child’s passion and love of animals
About Vet Set Go
Vet Set Go — both the new book and website community — is the first and only resource of its kind to provide valuable information for tweens, parents and grandparents looking to foster a young person’s passion for animals by opening the doors to veterinary medicine now. Recently named among the best in family-friendly media by Mom’s Choice Awards, Vet Set Go! is supported in part by a grant from Sentinel® Spectrum® (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron/ praziquantel) a delicious beef and bacon flavored chew to protect dogs against six parasites, including tapeworms. To purchase Vet Set Go! or explore the resources available, visit VetSetGo.com.
Elaina Boudreau, BELA Communications, +1 (913) 660-0548, [email protected]
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