Study finds farm vets happier than domestic vets

After graduating from a college of veterinary medicine and acquiring a state license, veterinarians take care of animals both domestic and outside the city limits.

Depending on their degrees, veterinarians treat animals varying from livestock, pets and zoo animals to racing animals and laboratory specimens.

A study showed veterinarians who take care of farm animals enjoy their jobs more than veterinarians who focus on domestic animals, such as cats and dogs.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Jennifer Brouch said her business, Osceola Veterinary Hospital, treats a wide range of animals, including cattle, dogs, cats, sheep, horses and pigs.

"I like working the mixed practice. It gives me a chance to get outside, and there is more variety," said Brouch. She said her favorite type of animal to work with is cattle.

DVM Ron Dobesh treats both domestic and farm animals and said he enjoys working with both.

"There are advantages and disadvantages for both," said Dobesh.

While some veterinarians treat domestic and farm animals, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, three out of four veterinarians work in a private practice, and 70 percent of those focus primarily on small animals. This includes cats, dogs, hamsters, birds and reptiles. Only one-fourth of veterinarians care for pigs, cattle, goats and wild animals.

Brouch, a veterinarian who treats domestic and farm animals, said that depending on the day she can have anywhere from six animals on a slow day to 200 on a busy day. Meanwhile Dobesh, whose practice is in Wahoo, Neb., says he sees around 50 animals a day on average. Both Brouch's and Dobesh's jobs involve working with animals to keep them healthy and, in the case of farm animals, profitable. Surgeries, diagnostics and treatments also fall into the job description.

Although many veterinarians prefer domestic practice, the same care and handling is required for all animals.

"I like animals, so it's a job that enables me to work with different animals every day," Dobesh said about the best part of his job.

As for Brouch, her favorite part is the people.

jessicasorensen@dailynebraskan.com