Lab Veterinarian

Kelly Walton has her doctorate in veterinarian medicine and completed her studying of comparative medicine at Colorado State University. In her article, “Why I am a Laboratory Veterinarian”, Kelly expresses how her love of animals is the passion which drives her to work to improve the well-being of animals through her career. She speaks on the issue solely from her experience with no significant bias toward either side. The purpose of her argument is to dispel the doubts so many people have about laboratory veterinarians. It hopes to establish laboratory veterinarians as truly passionate about the proper care of their patients and how important they are in the field of animal research. Kelly Walton provides a strong argument of how laboratory

Walton has her degree in veterinarian medicine after going through years and years of studying. She is very knowledgeable in her field and has much experience in laboratory research which adds greatly to her credibility in her article. Walton took the Veterinarian’s Oath with her veterinary class at Ohio State University, similar to the Hippocratic Oath physician’s take, and has taken to heart every word of it ever since that day. This shows how seriously Walton takes her job and the Veterinarian Oath’s pledge to look after the well-being of her patients. Walton realizes the seriousness of her decisions in animal research, she says, “This is a responsibility that is given to me by the numerous laws and regulations that govern the use of animals in research” (Walton, 2013). She also states that animal research is “necessary to improve our understanding of disease”, “it is a privilege that must be carried out humanely”,

The Veterinarian’s Oath clearly points to the vital role research veterinarians play in animals’ welfare. One part of the Oath says, “I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society” (Walton,2013). This Oath gives evidence that the heart of a research veterinarian is in the right place. Walton explains that a research veterinarian has the right to make healthcare decisions for his/her patients that do not depend on opinions, level of compassion, or financial status of their owners. Another part of the Oath says that veterinarians are responsible for “the prevention and relief of animal suffering” (Walton, 2013). Kelly Walton explains that research veterinarians are responsible for the environmental, nutritional, and social needs of all research animals. Yet another part of the Oath says, “I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continued improvement of my professional knowledge and competence” (Walton, 2013). This Oath speaks of the promise a veterinarian makes and how it is a continuous reminder for the veterinarian as it is engraved in that person’s heart for the rest of his/her life. The fact that a veterinarian takes this Oath and swears to uphold its values is proof that the veterinarian will take proper care of the animals