World Veterinary Day 2025: A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Doctor!
What Really Happens Behind the Vet’s Door?Ever wondered what it's like to treat patients who can’t speak, cry for help, or describe their pain? That question led me to a bustling veterinary clinic in Pune, a small yet energetic world of fur & feathers. I spent the day talking to a few veterinary doctors at the PetNest Animal Care Clinic and Dr. Pawar’s Pet and Bird Clinic, curious to uncover what really goes on behind the stethoscope of a vet.From handling anxious dogs to performing emergency procedures on street animals, every moment was intense and unpredictable. “It’s not just about healing, it’s about understanding a language that isn’t verbal,” one of them told me while gently checking a trembling indie pup. Their world was full of emotions, silent ones and endless decoding.So, How Do You Even Become a Vet?While sitting in the clinic lounge during a short lunch break, I asked them how someone even becomes a vet in India. Their laughter hinted at shared memories of hard-earned degrees and sleepless nights. “First,” Dr. Meenal said, “you need to fall in love with science, and animals. Then you gear up for a long ride.”They explained that the journey starts after Class 12 with subjects in science, followed by qualifying for NEET or the All India Pre-Veterinary Test (AIPVT). Once selected, students enroll in a 5.5-year-long B.V.Sc & AH degree, which includes an intensive internship.“The curriculum is tough,” one added. “You’re not just learning about cute cats, you’re learning to diagnose a sick horse, perform surgery on a goat, and manage infections in cattle. The Challenges Nobody Talks About!I noticed a pause in their voices when I asked about the hardest part of their job. It wasn’t the long hours or the low pay, it was the helplessness. “When an animal can’t tell you what’s wrong, and you’re racing against time, it can eat you up inside,” said Dr. Shaan, who had just completed a night shift.They spoke of compassion fatigue, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. Of treating animals who had been abandoned, hit, or abused. “You carry it with you, you know?” someone whispered. “The smell of a dying animal stays longer in your mind than on your clothes.”Many of them also work with animal welfare groups and NGOs, often using their personal time and resources. “We’re not just vets, we’re educators, counsellors, sometimes even ambulance drivers.”Healing Without Words!One thing that stood out in every conversation was how deeply they respected their patients, not just as animals, but as beings full of life and emotion. They explained how being a vet is not the same as being a human doctor. “You’re treating someone who can’t explain their pain. And you're doing it with science, intuition, and so much empathy,” one of them said. As I left the clinic that evening, the sound of soft whimpers and warm goodbyes lingered in my head. Being a veterinary doctor, I realized, is a job built on observation, care, resilience, and a quiet kind of bravery.This World Veterinary Day, let’s pause to honour those who listen without language, who heal without words, and who dedicate their lives to being the silent voice for animals.