Kids love animals, and many express a desire to become a veterinarian or choose a career that involves working with animals.

How do you encourage kids to make that dream a reality? A recent article in Popular Science offers some practical advice on supporting kids with this career goal.

Here’s a summary, you can read the full article HERE.

Let kids know about the different career opportunities in the veterinary health field: veterinarian, veterinary technician, etc.

Kids can get exposure to what it’s like to work with animals by watching veterinary shows on TV and spending time with a local veterinary practice that allows kids to observe daily activities.

Consider taking your child on animal-themed day trips and vacations and getting them involved in extra-curricular activities that expose them to animals.

As kids get older, they can volunteer with animals or even find paid work. Examples include farms, kennels, vet offices, and animal shelters.

Look into open house events at local veterinary colleges that welcome high school students to campus.

Here in San Diego, FACE’s humane education youth program will be partnering with the non-profit organization Reality Changers to encourage high school students who would be first-generation college students to explore careers in veterinary medicine.