Written By Shaun Wellert, DVM, MS, DACVPM
A typical pre-professional program includes extensive coursework in biology, chemistry, and other fundamental sciences. These subjects form the core of prerequisite classes for aspiring medical doctors and veterinarians, providing essential knowledge for their future careers. When I began my journey to becoming a veterinarian, I followed a similar academic path, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. However, once I entered large animal practice, I quickly realized there were significant gaps in both my pre-veterinary and veterinary education.
Many of the diseases I encountered in farm animals and horses stemmed from poor animal husbandry or inadequate nutrition. While my upbringing on a dairy farm gave me valuable hands-on experience with dairy cattle, unfortunately, neither my undergraduate nor veterinary school coursework fully prepared me to understand the complexities of production animal nutrition. I also lacked exposure many other animals that I would work on daily such as horses and beef cattle.
A strong foundation in both science and practical animal care is essential for students interested in large animal veterinary medicine. Understanding not just biological and chemical principles but also the fundamentals of animal husbandry and nutrition can make a significant difference in practice.
At Ohio State ATI, our Animal Sciences—Biosciences Specialization program provides students with this well-rounded education, combining coursework in chemistry and biology with hands-
on training in animal husbandry and nutrition. This background is invaluable for veterinarians, especially those working in large animal medicine, where they interact daily with farmers and nutritionists to ensure animal health and productivity. Having this diverse knowledge base not only improves technical skills but also enhances communication and problem-solving abilities, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both animals and producers.