What do veterinarians do? 

Veterinarians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in animals. They provide preventative medical services and perform animal surgery and dentistry. Veterinarians also conduct and present research to advance animal health and welfare, and public health. 

Education Required 

To become a licensed veterinarian in Alberta you’ll need: 

• A minimum of 2 years of post-secondary undergraduate studies* 

• Followed by a recognized or accredited 4-year doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) program or equivalent  

• Students from universities accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) must then pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) 

• After graduating from veterinary medicine, some veterinarians may choose to pursue additional education in order to specialize in an area of veterinary medicine.  

*While becoming a veterinarian requires at least 6 years of education total, most applicants to DVM programs will have completed more than the required 2 years of undergraduate studies. These students have often studied in a related faculty such as science or agriculture, with some post-secondary schools specifically offering pre-veterinary medicine programs.    

Helpful high school courses: 

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics 

• Math 

• English or other humanities 

• Business or entrepreneurship (for clinic management) 

Gain Experience 

Students should also strive to gain practical experience by working or volunteering with a variety of animal species in different settings. Experience working alongside a veterinarian is helpful in gaining insight into the profession, and references from these sources are often veterinary school admission requirements. Junior and senior high school students may want to check out the veterinary camps offered at the University of Calgary and the Atlantic Veterinary College. 

A note on veterinary schools 

The number of students accepted to veterinary schools in Canada is limited and as such, admittance into each program is competitive. Care should be taken to ensure that students looking to apply to veterinary school have all the necessary requirements, which may be subject to change over time.   

Some veterinary schools in Canada are adjusting their pre-veterinary requirements and introducing curriculum changes to reflect the changing face of the profession. Guidance counsellors at each institution can advise you on program-specific admission and curriculum changes.