Veterinarian Research Project

Question
Hi. My name is Rebecca. I was recently assigned a career research project, and I decided my career to be a veterinarian. I needed some questions to be answered for my project, if you have the time in your very busy day to answer them, that would be GREATLY appreciated! Here are the questions I need:

1. What insurance benefits do Veterinarians get?
2. What retirement benefits do Veterinarians get?
3. What are the Advancement Opportunities for a Veterinarian?
4. What is the long term outlook for the job of a Veterinarian?
5. What are the job openings per year for a Veterinarian career?
6. What Career change preparation would a Veterinarian need?
7. Where can you go to prepare to be a Veterinarian? (Colleges, or in general)
8. How long will it take to prepare?
9. What are the required college degrees/licenses/certificates needed to become a Veterinarian?

ANY of these questions being answered for me would be Greatly appreciated and would help out a lot!
Thank you!

Answer
In addition to my answers, I suggest you google your questions for much more information. I am a solo practitioner who does homeopathic consult and teaching, so I also suggest you contact an AAHA hospital.

1. Depends on the size of the practice. I pay my own insurance.
2. I fund my own retirement plans (KEOH, IRA, etc).
3. Own a practice
4. Great, especially if you become trained in the holistic modalities so many clients are now requesting.
5. No idea
6. It is very hard to get into veterinary college and each has specific, and maybe different requirements. Most require a BS and high score on the VETCATs and lots of experience.
7. Most people apply to their state veterinary college or to one with whom their state has reciprocity.
8. Veterinary College is 4 years. Many have spent 4-8 years in college before admission. Then they could spend 1-5 years in becoming a specialist.
9. State License.