Veterinary Research Schools

Veterinary medicine isn't about private practice alone. Veterinary research schools across the country are preparing students for careers in animal-related laboratory science and field study. Lessons learned in animal research at U.S. veterinary schools have helped forge new human treatments for illnesses including cancer, heart disease and AIDS. Veterinary research schools often look to reduce the number of animals used in research through alternative methods such as computer modeling or tissue cultures.

  1. Veterinary Research Programs

    • The United States is home to 28 colleges of veterinary medicine, all of which maintain veterinary research programs. In addition to those initiatives, veterinary schools participate in several federally funded scientific fellowships, including the Veterinary Research Scholars program funded through grants from the National Institutes of Health. The national Merial Research Grants program also funds research scholarships at veterinary schools across the country. Most veterinary colleges don't require their students to participate in animal research, though they might involve students in caring for animals in research programs.

    Areas of Expertise

    • Veterinary colleges specialize in distinct research areas. Some schools, such as those at the University of Tennessee and the University of Pennsylvania, focus on research involving large animals such as horses. Cornell University's veterinary-research efforts include work with elephants and rhinoceroses, as well as investigations into cancer and diabetes in animals. Infectious diseases such as viruses go under the research microscope at the University of Georgia. And Ohio State University owns Finley Farm, a teaching and research farm for cattle, camels and other livestock.

    Admission Requirements

    • Because there are so few veterinary research schools nationwide, it's statistically tougher to gain admission to vet colleges than it is to get into medical schools. Veterinary schools weigh a prospective student's grades, experience working with animals and background in biology, science and math studies. Completing veterinary school requires a four-year bachelor's degree and four years of veterinary college. Students must pass a national veterinary medical board exam, plus their state's vet exam, to practice veterinary medicine as a working doctor or researcher.

    Treating Pets

    • To aid in scientific exploration, many veterinary research schools offer specialized care, clinical trials and other experimental treatments to dogs, cats and other companion animals. For example, pet owners can enroll their animals in emerging cancer therapies at vet schools at Colorado State University and the University of Missouri, or trials studying the use of gene therapy to treat inherited blindness and neurological disease in dogs and cats at the University of Pennsylvania. For information on specific experimental options, visit individual vet schools' websites.