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Pre-Veterinary Program
If you're interested in veterinary medicine, Dordt University is a great place to combine hands-on experience with excellent classroom instruction. Best of all, we help you learn through a thoughtful Christian perspective that values protecting the health and welfare of people and animals.
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Program Overview
At Dordt you will be challenged to tackle all issues from a Christian point of view. You'll discuss topics such as stewardship, agricultural policy, environmental health, rural community vitality, and animal welfare. Our view of agriculture rests firmly on our understanding that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1).
Students enrolled in animal science courses at Dordt not only see large animal (livestock) veterinary care but also small animal (pet) care.
"Dordt offers a well-respected pre-vet program in the heart of a diverse agricultural region," says Dr. Duane Bajema, pre-veterinary program advisor. "That gives you many opportunities to grow and develop professionally."
What can I do with a degree in pre-veterinary program from Dordt University?
Dordt pre-veterinary graduates have earned the respect of faculty in schools across the U.S. and Canada, including Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, and Kansas State University. Nearly 100 percent of those who complete our program and apply to these schools are accepted.
The demand for properly trained veterinarians is high, particularly for large animal practitioners. While most veterinarians choose to work in private practice, others protect food safety or conduct research in public health departments, the military, regulatory agencies, and zoos.
Opportunities in animal husbandry abound in Sioux County, which leads the state in total livestock production. Iowa is #1 in the nation in egg and hog production, and Dordt University is located in Iowa's #1 county for numbers of cattle and poultry layers. Sioux County farmers market approximately 438,000 cattle and three million hogs annually. They also rank high in dairy and sheep production. Pre-Veterinary at Dordt will help you prepare for a career in the veterinary field. This foundation will set you up for success whether you pursue further education or enter the workforce.
Veterinarian
A Veterinarian is responsible for treating the injuries and illnesses of pets and other animals.
Pet Adoption Counselor
A Pet Adoption Counselor helps animal shelters match pets with potential owners, ensuring the animal is being placed into a good home.
Veterinary Assistant
A Veterinary Assistant helps the veterinarian in all areas of animal care including but not limited to routine health checks and pre and post-surgical care.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Pre-Veterinary Program
Dordt's Agriculture Stewardship Center is an operational farm, raising cattle, hogs, calves, and sheep for agriculture education. You'll administer shots and medications; dock tails; worm, dehorn, and castrate livestock; and help with other aspects of animal care. Class projects include dissecting reproductive tracts and digestive systems of poultry, sheep, and cattle.
You'll get valuable experience through internships with local veterinarians, pharmaceutical companies, animal health businesses, and highly specialized biotechnology companies. Experiences such as these have helped our graduates gain acceptance into schools of veterinary medicine. Students have had internships with local veterinarians specializing in both pet and large animal areas, as well as internships with biotechnology and veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing companies like Trans Ova Genetics, Hematech, Sioux Biochemical, and Boerhinger-Ingelheim.
Studying animal science alongside history, English, communication, philosophy, psychology, and the arts—all taught in the light of God's Word—will help you understand how you can most effectively serve as veterinarian. The knowledge you gain in your courses will teach you to understand the needs and concerns of God’s many creatures. The skills you gain will prepare you to help those animals through your work.
Every professional school has their own entrance requirements, so at Dordt, students work with the pre-professional advisors to determine which courses they need to prepare them for their professional school.
Pre-veterinary students at Dordt usually major in biology, animal science, chemistry, or agriculture, but occasionally choose business or another major. You can complete a bachelor's degree at Dordt and then apply to veterinary school, or you may choose to take only the specific courses required before applying for admission to a particular school of veterinary medicine. Contact the school of your choice to learn their requirements.
Most veterinary schools suggest two and one-half years of college chemistry, a year each of biology, microbiology, genetics, English grammar, communication, and sometimes a physics or statistics course.
The Pre-Vet Club will help you network with each other and with a practicing veterinarian. Its advisor, Dr. Fred Sick, has been president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and given leadership on legislative committees. You'll have opportunities to shadow veterinarians and ask questions.
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Agriculture Stewardship Center
As a Pre-Veterinary Major, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt’s Agriculture Stewardship Center. This unique location includes 200 acres where students will raise livestock and grow crops, small grains, and produce.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
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Related Program Options
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
