The average veterinarian completes 4 1/2 years of undergraduate education, taking classes such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, math, animal science, and more...and that's just to prepare them for veterinary school. Some veterinarians already have a Master's degree or PhD before they enter veterinary school. Others may enter a dual DVM/MS or DVM/PhD program, and some go on after veterinary school to get additional degrees and/or specialty training.
In veterinary school, the 4-year education is equal to what medical school students receive – but for a number of animal species instead of just one. Course subjects include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, toxicology, biochemistry, surgical techniques, and many more, as well as in-depth courses on specific animal species and body systems. The early years are mostly spent in the classroom and laboratory to prepare the students for client-owned animal patients. Veterinary students get additional education and experience during clinical rotations, seeing animal patients under the close supervision of experienced mentors.
Once they graduate from a U.S. veterinary school, they receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree (the degrees are different in other countries). They are now veterinarians and are qualified to perform the duties of the profession. A number of veterinarians also seek additional training in the form of an internship (usually one year) and/or residency (approximately 2-3 years) and may become board certified in a specialty area.
In order to practice veterinary medicine on animal patients, they must be licensed in each state in which they practice. State licensure requires a veterinarian to pass a national examination that tests their veterinary knowledge. Some states also require a veterinarian to pass a state-specific examination, most often to test their knowledge of the state's laws and regulations governing veterinary medicine. In order to maintain their state veterinary license, veterinarians must obtain continuing education.
So, the next time you see your veterinarian, you know that your pet is being cared for by a highly trained professional.
Information provided by American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AMVF)
Since joining the PAH team he has seen many changes over the years. Dr. Skinner is most proud of winning the 2014 “AAHA Hospital of the Year” award. With this award comes great pride, but also a desire to continue to be the best practice and provide the best patient care. In January 2014, Dr. Skinner took over as the PAH medical director, as well as gaining a greater responsibility of practice ownership. He hopes to strive for practice excellence and honor those who have come before him.
He enjoys spending time with his family, which includes 2 growing (fast) daughters, 2 dogs, 4 exotic cats and a dedicated wife. During the down time and for a mental escape you will find him riding his road or mountain bikes or training for the next local race. Dr. Skinner also spends much of his free time providing care for the animals at multiple zoos and serving the local community.
Dr. Skinner has served on the board of directors and numerous committees for the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association since 2005. He had the honor of being of the AzVMA President in 2012-2013, and received an award for his dedication to his staff. Currently Dr. Skinner serves on the Animal disaster services and the Arizona Animal Response Team, helping animals across Arizona during emergencies.
What’s next for Dr. Skinner? He is currently pursuing a national position on the Board of directors for the American Animal Hospital Association, and training for the 104 miles Tour de Tucson Bike race.
Why did I become a veterinarian?
My grandmother was the first women racehorse trainer at Turf paradise. I remember from age 6, going to the track and watching her work those horses. I recall when the vets would treat the racehorses and she would help, that has always left a lasting memory of dedication, knowledge and passion. The night I think it truly began was when our vet came to the house to treat my pony. After a gallon of mineral oil and a tube up the nose, the pony was cured; I was forever indebted for his care and compassion that cold Arizona night. Besides that, I was never very good at baseball.
Dow is a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Arizona’s Army ROTC program and commissioned as an Army Officer. Dr. Dow also served as an Army Ranger and a Infantry Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Iraqi Army Advisor and Bronze Star Reciepient. After tours of both Kosovo and Iraq, he transitioned out of the military and entered veterinary school. Dr. Dow attended the oldest public veterinary school in the nation at Iowa State University graduating in 2009. Dr. Dow is a member of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association (AZVMA), and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Dr. Dow is also a graduate of Prescott High School and even inducted into its Hall of Fame for Wrestling and Football achievements.
In addition to her interest in animals, Dr. Killian volunteers with organizations that help children/youth grow, through education and scholarships. These organizations help build confidence and ethics, and build future leaders.
One such organization is 4-H. “I believe in this organization. I was a 4-Her for 10 years as a youth. I now volunteer my time giving clinics and supporting 4-H leaders in their educational endeavors. I support the 4-H/FFA Expo every year. I perform a vet check on all animals prior to the show and buy animals at the auction.”
Dr. Killian is also a member of the Sun Up Rotary Club. The club has many youth programs. Examples are the Rotary foreign exchange program and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).
She also volunteers with the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo organization. “In the past, I have been the Royalty Chairman. I continue to volunteer my time in that department, primarily in horsemanship clinics.”
Dr. Killian has 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 horses. In her spare time she enjoys riding horses and crocheting.
Why did I become a veterinarian?
I became a veterinarian because I wanted to help educate people about their pets. In this way I could improve the human-animal bond and prevent or relieve animal illness.
Why did I become a veterinarian?
There was never any other path! Some of my first memories are of the utter joy I felt while in the presence of and interacting with animals. I have experienced mutual understanding and respect with them since before I could walk; an amazing bond that feeds my very soul. I want nothing more than to be an advocate for those who don’t have their own voice, and to help people recognize and nurture their own bonds with their animal companions.
In her spare time, Dr. Lauren Peters enjoys anything that involves being outdoors. Hiking, mountain biking, running, camping, and exploring her new environment are some of her favorite things to do on her days off. She has two pets of her own these days: a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Siberian Husky named Kita and a handicapped, hair-tie eating cat named Weebles.
Why did I become a veterinarian?
When I was very young, I was sure I wanted to be a jockey, ride in the Kentucky Derby, and win. When reality set in, I was much taller than any jockey could ever be. I thought to myself, if I can't ride horses in races, I might as well be able to fix them! The idea stuck, though I became a mixed animal veterinarian rather than strictly equine. I truly enjoy medicine, the logic and problem solving that goes along with it. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, and helping their pets!
Upon graduating from Richmond, Dr. Jason decided to enter the veterinary workforce in order to determine the extent of her passion for the profession. To that end she worked as a veterinary technician in Lexington Kentucky at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, perhaps the premier veterinary clinic in the nation addressing the needs of the racehorse industry. While there, she also was involved as a groom and handler in the racehorse auction industry at Fasig Tipton. Within a short period of time, however, her frustrations with the limits placed on her as a veterinary technician, with respect to treatment and diagnosis, convinced her that her passion for the profession was real and would not be satisfied until she attained a veterinary degree.
Leigh enrolled and 4 years later, in 2012, graduated from Ross University, with an intermediate stop at Cornell University. For the past 5 or so years, Dr. Jason worked at a busy mixed animal practice in New York, where she treated a wide range of animals and developed strong bonds with their devoted owners. It is that experience as a seasoned surgeon and diagnostician, as well as a caring and dedicated bedside manner, that Dr. Jason brings to the Prescott Animal Hospital.
Dr. Leigh Jason’s motivation as a veterinarian is to share her passion for animals with her clients and patients through the healing process. Dr. Jason believes that as caregivers to nature’s wonderful creatures, we have an obligation to provide the best life experiences possible to animals that cannot care for themselves. Especially with regard to our devoted companions, who enrich our lives in so many ways, Dr. Jason is committed to providing superior care to the patient and sympathetic understanding to the client. Visits to the vet are usually stressful situations involving a non-communicative patient and an anxious client. It is Dr. Jason’s desire that in your’s and your pet’s interactions with her, she is able to be the stabilizing force that addresses the patient’s needs in an effective and efficient manner, and the needs of the client for reassurance and information about the issue which brought the patient to Prescott Animal Hospital.
Why did I become a veterinarian?
As for why I decided to become a veterinarian, I am engaged in and endeavor to become the voice for my patients. I am devoted to doing everything I can to apply the science of veterinary medicine to address the individual needs each and every patient that visits me at Prescott Animal Hospital. That passion is innate to my sense of who I am, a sense that coalesced in me during my youth and adolescence and blossomed during my studies to become a veterinarian. I hope to fulfill that passion here in Prescott.
Why I became a veterinarian?
I was born and lived in Oceanside, CA before moving to Arizona, and spent many summers and school breaks visiting my grandparents there while growing up. My absolute favorite thing to do with my grandparents was to visit the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Birch Aquarium, and treat the neighborhood cats as my own. It never mattered what type of animal it was, I was always fascinated by them all, their health, and conservation. I do not remember ever wanting to be anything other than a veterinarian, and my path through the veterinary field has lead me to develop a great respect for all animals; large, small, domestic, or wild.
Why did I become a veterinarian? There has not been a time in my life where I didn't want to be a veterinarian. As a little girl I was happiest when I was able to interact with animals of all types and decided early on I wanted to dedicate my life to being an advocate for their health and conservation. What I love most about veterinary medicine is being able to play a variety of different roles every day. On any given day I can go from a canine surgeon, to a feline dentist, to an equine optometrist, and on some days even a tiger anesthesiologist. I truly have one of the coolest jobs in the world.
During her spare time, Dr. Glenn enjoys traveling the world with her husband Dan. She has traveled to Ireland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Austria, Australia and Japan (6 times!). She also enjoys DIY home projects, craft projects, gardening, numismatics, and extreme couponing. She has one cat named Dexter, 11 chickens and 3 goldfish.
Dr. Rowe, an accredited veterinarian, began practicing in Tucson Arizona. Dr. Rowe moved to the White Mountains of Arizona and continued her practice in 2002 and then traveled west to plant roots in the Prescott area in 2020.
After spending time as an extern at Prescott Animal Hospital (PAH) in her senior year of vet school, Dr. Spagnolo decided to move from California to Prescott, AZ after graduation to begin her career as a veterinarian at PAH. She enjoys working in companion animal medicine with dogs and cats, but also has an interest in exotic and zoo animal medicine. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, being outdoors, and hanging out with her rabbit, Olly, and turtle, Squirt.
Why did I become a veterinarian?
My interest in becoming a veterinarian grew from my love for animals and interest in science. Growing up, I was inspired by my grandpa and dad’s careers as first responders and how their selflessness helped people in crisis. Being a veterinarian, I can combine my love for animals and follow in my family’s footsteps by going the extra mile to help people, strengthen the human-animal bond, and provide the best care for their furry family members.