For those of you who are interested in vet school, here is another option--a
PharmD degree with a specialization in veterinary pharmacy!  I never heard
of this option but it is certainly a good back-up to vet school and gives
you lots more schools and cities to look at for training.  Pre-Pharmacy
students who love animals may want to look at this program as well.


Someone interested in veterinary pharmacy must still go to pharmacy school
and obtain the PharmD.  At many pharmacy schools there are electives in
veterinary pharmacy that they can take to boost their knowledge of the
veterinary area.  There is also an online course through Creighton
University that many pharmacy schools will recognize for credit. (
http://pharmacyonline.creighton.edu/pha380/ ).  Also, during their clinical
year students can do one of their clinical rotations at a veterinary
college.  These rotations are usually offered through an agreement between
the pharmacy school and veterinary school, but even if the pharmacy school
doesn't offer the rotation some students have taken it upon themselves to
set one up with a veterinary college.
Upon graduation there is one veterinary pharmacy residency available at the
University of California at Davis.  (
http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/vmth/residency/supres/pharmacy.html ).  Other
than that, there is really no other formal education available. 
I would suggest learning as much about compounding as possible from many
different sources.  The rules for veterinary compounding are very different
that human compounding so it is important that the student be well educated
on the differences.  Any of the pharmacists that belong to SVHP (The Society
of Veterinary Hospital Pharmacists) are happy to answer questions.  There is
also an annual meeting that anyone can (and do) attend to increase their
knowledge base. ( http://www.svhp.org/ ).  Dues are minimal and the
networking benefits are great.

I'll be happy to respond to anyone's questions about this field.   It's
fascinating, rewarding, and definitely intellectually stimulating!

Shirley Arck

Shirley Arck, PharmD, FSVHP
Hospital Administrator
Kansas State University
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
119A Mosier Hall
1800 Denison Ave.
Manhattan, KS 66506-5701
785/532-5708