BEING a veterinarian demands more than just loving animals.
“You must be committed to their health and welfare, which sometimes means making tough, heartbreaking decisions like euthanasia,” Prof Dr Malaika Watanabe (pic) told StarEdu.
This is the first of the “three key truths” that the veterinarian, with over 20 years of experience, wants students to understand before enrolling in veterinary school.
“Second, it’s academically and emotionally demanding, requiring a strong science foundation, problem-solving skills, and the ability to learn independently.
“Third, it’s as much about people as it is about animals. Teamwork, communication and empathy are essential to thrive in the field,” she said.
Prof Watanabe – dean of the IMU University School of Veterinary Medicine – explained that for every animal, there is a human attached: an owner, a farmer or a trainer, with the only exception possibly being wildlife.
“Hence, effective communication with people is a critical skill for veterinarians, sometimes more important than clinical expertise,” she said.
Citing a study from Canada, she added that failure to demonstrate empathy is one of the most common causes of formal complaints from veterinary clients.
“Pet owners choose vets for their empathy, not just their technical skills,” she noted.
She also stressed that the profession requires as much emotional resilience as it does medical knowledge.
This resilience begins in veterinary training, with Prof Watanabe noting that students must visit slaughterhouses to understand the realities of food production.
“If you’re in it for compassion and love, it can be tough,” she conceded.
“But veterinarians play a key role in making the process more humane while ensuring food security,” she said.
She added that animal welfare, environmental sustainability and even antimicrobial resistance are all part of the profession.
“We ensure that meat, milk, and other animal products are safe for human consumption. We also prevent disease transmission and promote sustainable farming. Misuse of antibiotics in animals can drive resistance that threatens human health. In the end, every part of this ecosystem is interconnected,” she said.
Another aspect is the human-animal bond, which varies from family to family.
“Some people see their dog as a family member; for others, it may just be a guard for an orchard or factory. Understanding that relationship helps us tailor consultations and care,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, Prof Watanabe – who completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Universiti Putra Malaysia and pursued her PhD in Veterinary Internal Medicine at Yamaguchi University – shared that she has loved animals “for as long as I can remember”.
“My parents encouraged this love – we had hamsters, cats, even a goat. They taught me that looking after another life comes with responsibility. And compassion means recognising that animals are living beings who need food, water and a conducive environment to thrive in.”
She added that while her role as a small animal internal medicine specialist focuses on dogs and cats, veterinary school prepared her for much more.
“Veterinary programmes generally cover eight core animal groups – dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, horses, ruminants (goats, sheep and cows), swine and poultry – each with different anatomy, physiology, behaviour, husbandry and management,” she shared.
On career prospects, she said opportunities extend far beyond private pet clinics.
Graduates can go into small animal practice, treating companion animals in clinics or hospitals, or pursue a career as farm veterinarians, caring for livestock such as cattle, poultry, swine, goats and sheep, with a strong focus on disease prevention and control.
Some pursue a career in animal welfare or shelter medicine, or enter the government veterinary department, where they develop policies, oversee disease control programmes, and safeguard public health. Others work in rural and field disease control – for example, eradicating lymphatic filariasis in East Malaysia.
Those with a passion for teaching may join academia to train the next generation of veterinarians.
For Prof Watanabe, nothing compares to the joy of seeing an animal recover.
“When a pet comes back healthy, wagging its tail, and the owners are grateful – that’s the best feeling.”
For those considering veterinary medicine, she advised exploring the reality of the work before committing.
“Shadow veterinarians at a small animal clinic, volunteer at a farm or wildlife centre. Find out if it’s the right fit for you – because it’s not just a career, it’s a calling,” she said.
Li Lian, 20, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 Imagine you are a veterinarian for a day. Write a five-sentence journal entry using: past tense verbs for actions you did (e.g., visited, treated, observed); and modals like “should” or “must” to remind yourself of things you need to do (e.g., I must wash my hands before every check-up).
2 Would you want to be a veterinarian? Why or why not? Share your thoughts with the class.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
