Recently, a colleague shared with me an encounter that left her uneasy. She met someone who, despite not being a licensed veterinarian, claimed that what matters in this profession is not the license but the skill. This person argued that in the “outside world,” people pay for skill, not for licenses. On the surface, this may sound convincing—after all, experience and practice do sharpen one’s hands. But let us unpack this, because as veterinarians, this issue goes beyond semantics. It goes into the heart of public safety, ethics, and the credibility of our profession.
Skill Without Foundation is Dangerous
Yes, skill matters. A steady hand during surgery, the ability to restrain an aggressive dog safely, or the confidence to give an injection—all these are skills developed through repetition. But skill without knowledge is like building a house without a foundation.
A non-licensed individual may have memorized the steps of a spay or vaccination, but what happens when complications arise? What if the patient goes into anaphylactic shock? What if there is unexpected bleeding during surgery? Knowing anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology is not optional—it is essential. Without this foundation, the “skill” they boast of becomes a risk to both the patient and the pet owner.
Advertisements & Promos
Why the License Matters
A veterinary license is not just a piece of paper. It is proof that a doctor has undergone years of rigorous training, has passed board examinations, and is accountable to a regulatory body. The license is society’s assurance that when you bring in your beloved pet, the person in front of you has both the knowledge and the authority to act in the best interest of the animal.
Without a license, there is no accountability. If a non-licensed person botches a surgery, who will answer for it? Who will the pet owner run after when malpractice occurs? The license exists not to diminish skill, but to protect patients and pet owners from unqualified hands.
Advertisements & Promos
What We Are Paid For
It is not true that clients only pay for skill. They pay for the years of education we invested, for the sacrifices we made, and for the assurance that when they entrust us with their pets, they are protected by law and by ethics. Skill is part of it, but the license is what makes that skill legitimate, recognized, and safe.
Imagine trusting someone who can stitch but doesn’t know aseptic technique. Or someone who can administer a vaccine but doesn’t understand vaccine components, contraindications, or adverse reactions. Would you entrust your child’s life to someone who only knows how to hold a scalpel, but never went to medical school? Pets deserve the same protection.
The Responsibility We Carry
At the end of the day, veterinary practice is not just about doing procedures—it is about responsibility. Responsibility to our patients, to our clients, and to the law. Skill can be learned by anyone. But only those who carry both skill and license have the legal, ethical, and professional responsibility to practice veterinary medicine.
Advertisements & Promos
So to my fellow veterinarians who encounter these situations, stand firm. We are not gatekeeping. We are protecting. Protecting our patients from harm, our profession from dilution, and the trust the public has placed in us.
Sharing this helps others understand what it really means to be a vet. Like and follow if you’re with us.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
