Veterinarian in Society

COURSE OVERVIEW

Most veterinarians in India possess a wealth of scientific knowledge regarding the potential use of animal patients. The society consider veterinarian as an important member with high value and respect attached to his position as animal health protector. However most veterinarians possess less knowledge regarding the care of human clients especially the poor. Research shows that consumers of today’s medical services want doctors to care about them more than they want doctors to cure them. Without education and training in both client relations and effective communication techniques, veterinarians are at a distinct disadvantage when practicing veterinary medicine.

The bond-centered veterinary practice is one in which the relationships between people especially the poor and their companion / producing animals are recognized as significant and are acknowledged and respected. The bond-centered practice, is viewed as a professional responsibility. As effective communicators, veterinarians have to realize the importance of providing the clients with additional support services.

Veterinarians are also valued in professional behavior viz., hard work, dignity, modesty, ingenuity, compassion, clarity of purpose and dedication to help. Veterinarians have ethical conflicts, since they serve both animals and people. This dual function can put veterinarians in an impossible position when what is good for the sick animal is not good for the client or when helping the client means harming the sick animal. These surely are ethical truth. If people did not believe that certain ways of behaving were normally better than other ways they would not bother arguing about right and wrong.

Veterinarians should participate in all development programmes of the society. Veterinarians also need to express the needs of the client and animals with emphasis. They need to take important decisions in the veterinary hospitals and society too.

Veterinarian has to cater to very many roles especially to rescue and take care of animals during natural calamities, maintain quality standards in food of animal origin, prevent, monitor and cure zoonotic diseases, maintains wild animals and captive animals in zoos and parks. Understanding these roles would help to orient the graduates to perform their duties with thorough understanding and with the best of performance and commitment.

In Indian situations veterinarians are considered more as clinicians. However he has other important roles as animal production personnel, animal welfare authority, public health extension worker and researcher and so on and so forth.

The course is unique in nature that would help to mold a veterinarian to a worthy, value oriented personality in developing the society. This course is appropriate to make veterinarians into a holistic person. The course when integrated with other subject of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry makes the curriculum complete.