If you’re an animal lover, chances are you’re a fan of veterinarians too. They keep our pets happy and healthy, and they are our go-to resources when little Spot swallows something she shouldn’t have or Pickles comes home limping on a hurt paw. And while being a vet can be incredibly stressful and challenging, it can also, thankfully, be extremely rewarding.

Below, you'll find some of the most adorable, hilarious and wholesome moments vets have experienced in their clinics that might make you wish you had chosen a career in animal health care, as well as an interview we were lucky enough to receive from Dr. Julie Cappel, the Veterinary Life Coach. Be sure to upvote the pics you find particularly heartwarming, and feel free to share any personal stories in the comments if you are a vet or have ever worked in a veterinarian office. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article celebrating all of the precious patients vets get to see every day, look no further than right here.

#1 A Very Smol Checkup

Image credits: bapus00

#2 Hammie Going For Checkup

Image credits: blek_blek

#3 One Of My Favorite Parts Of Being A Vet Tech Is Getting To Hold Hands With The Kittens

Image credits: SecretSloth810

To learn more about what it's really like to be a veterinarian, we reached out to Dr. Julie Cappel, or the Veterinary Life Coach. When it comes to what Dr. Cappel loves most about being a vet, she told Bored Panda that it's the variety of tasks and challenges that she faces every day. "The people may be lovely or terrible, but in all cases they love their pets like family, and that makes our job so rewarding," she shared. "We get to serve the pet owning public in a way that is unmatched in any other profession. The relationship that we form with the pets and their families lasts a lifetime and we share the highs and the lowest lows. Veterinarians are unique and wonderful."

We were also curious if Dr. Cappel has any favorite patients or any particularly fond memories with them. "I love all of my patients - except the ones that try to bite me," she says. "In particular, I love the parrots because they interact in unique ways - they can talk. So sometimes they say funny things or just act out when they hear my voice. One of my parrot patients says, 'I'm scared' when I walk into the room with her. Another says, 'Pet the birdie! Don't eat the birdie'. I also am very fond of all the puppies and kittens. They always bring excitement to our hospital day because they are so cute and happy, and we get to watch them grow up and capture their families' hearts."

#4 World's Cutest Patient

Image credits: ObjectiveWafer13

#5 This Scaredy Cat

Image credits: itsashlyperez

#6 9-Week-Old Maine Coon Kittens, Waiting For Their Vet Check

Image credits: PloverLover

We also asked Dr. Cappel if she could share any funny stories from working in her clinic. "There are so many," she told Bored Panda. "I had a client show me her knee surgery scar by dropping her pants in the waiting room. I had a gentleman come in with pet sugar gliders that he released in the room and they were jumping and gliding all over our heads, in and out of our pockets, terrorizing the veterinary technician. There have been many pets left on our doorstep over the years, some with notes attached asking us to find them a home."

We then asked Dr. Cappel what she thinks the most important qualities of a wonderful vet are. "I think all veterinarians are great and uniquely special," she shared. "It takes a special kind of person to take on the responsibilities that veterinary medicine brings and also keep their sense of humor and curiosity."

#7 Occasionally We Do Get To Play With Puppies

Image credits: _lava-lamp_

#8 We Anesthetized A Hedgehog Today

Image credits: eileen_likeacholo

#9 Side Pocket

Image credits: northfieldvet

"There is so much pressure put on us from the pet owning public, and our pay scale is much below that of our human medical counterparts," Dr. Cappel added. "We also are experiencing a severe shortage of veterinarians and technicians, which adds to the daily pressure and subtracts from our work/life balance. In order to be an excellent and healthy veterinarian, someone has to have a solid appreciation for themselves and have the ability to set boundaries in order to not allow the 'negative' clients bring them down. Veterinarians also need to design a life outside of veterinary medicine that includes strong family and friends, and mental health support."

#10 A Vet In Catstantinople, Turkey

Image credits: DamnedLife

#11 I See The Dogs And Cats In The Corners Of The Vet, And I Raise Our Cat, Yam. He Escapes Through The Trash Hole

Image credits: catsbuttscats

#12 My Sister Is A Vet Tech And Took My Dog With Her To Work, I Asked Her How He Was Doing And She Sent Me This

Image credits: Jakeglen97

"Veterinarians are incredible people, doing a very difficult job," Dr. Cappel added. "I would love for people to realize how the profession is struggling, so that they can appreciate what veterinarians do for them. Veterinarians are not only involved in caring for pets, but they care for farm animals, service animals, provide for healthy food production, and give emotional support to the pet owning public."

If you would like to learn more about what it's like to be a vet or hear more words of wisdom from Dr. Julie Cappel, be sure to check out her website, the Veterinary Life Coach, right here.

#13 My Boy Got Neutered Yesterday. The Vet Office Took A Photo For Me After He Woke Up

Image credits: twoyenfee

#14 This Made Our Day

Image credits: Harnish Vet Service

#15 Made My Day

Image credits: GribblesNZ

As Dr. Cappel noted, being a veterinarian is not easy. Just becoming one in the first place is often a long and arduous process. In the United States, for example, there are only 32 veterinary schools, and within each program, there are a limited number of spots available. Applicants have to compete against aspiring vets from all over the country to be accepted into these extremely competitive programs, and once they’ve been admitted, the challenges have just begun.

Similar to medical school, veterinary school requires a vast knowledge of math and science, but many people agree that veterinary school is even harder than medical school. Not because the work is less strenuous in medical school, both paths are comparable, but vet schools are even more selective and competitive than medical schools. And for vets who aim to earn a bachelor’s degree before applying for veterinary school, it takes about eight years to complete their education. This career path is certainly not for the faint of heart.

#16 This Rat Getting An Ultrasound

Image credits: glassinmyass420

#17 Doug Has His Own Sign And It's Almost The Best Part. He Was So Quiet I Didn't Notice Him At First

Image credits: 70ms

#18 Taking Your Work Home With You

Image credits: Main-Horse-7187

Because it is so difficult to become a veterinarian in the first place, it’s only fair that the job comes along with excellent perks. Vets often get to treat some of the most adorable patients you could ever imagine, as this list shows us. But there are plenty of other benefits to being a vet, as St. George’s University breaks down on their blog. For example, vets can have as much variety as they want in their daily routines. “Veterinarians don’t have to choose a specialty,” Dr. Lori Pasternak, co-founder of Helping Hands Affordable Veterinary Surgery & Dental Care, told St. George’s University. “Every day we get to be dermatologists, cardiologists, surgeons, internists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, and more.”

They can also work with a wide array of species if that interests them too. “I work with more than 4,000 animals of 500 different species in my day-to-day practice, which is incredibly exciting and fulfilling,” says Dr. Allison Tuttle, Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and Vice President of Biological Programs at Mystic Aquarium.

#19 Bird Getting X-Ray And Being Held By Its Feathers

Image credits: christygl7

#20 The Vet Is Very Familiar With My Boxer. They Know He's Good Natured, So They Decided To Put A Cap On Him. They Sent Me This Picture

Image credits: fatherlongleg

#21 Worst Job Ever. Vet Life

Image credits: BowTieVetGuy

Being a veterinarian also provides pretty great job security. We all want the best care for our furry, scaly and feathery friends, so when they need medical attention, we want to find the most skilled and most reliable professionals. “As animal care standards continually increase, there is an additional need for veterinarians,” Dr. Tuttle says. And according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of veterinarians in the nation is expected to increase by 18% through 2026. This is great news for our pets as well. The more accessible veterinary care is, the better chance they have of making it through their next injury or illness that might have previously been a death sentence.

#22 Hedgehog Getting An X-Ray

Image credits: AnimalSpaceHospital

#23 My Aunt Works For A Vet And This Guy Was Booked In For A Check Up

Image credits: crankyT27

#24 My Aunt's Dog Got A Little Nervous During His Annual Checkup

Image credits: Firstleah

Many vets also note how rewarding they find their careers. They are making a real difference in the lives of so many animals and humans, as most pet owners would be completely lost without their beloved animal babies. Lots of vets treat more than just pets though. Wildlife can often benefit from great veterinarians as well, as conservation is at the forefront of many vets' personal priorities. “With a mission to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education, and research, Mystic Aquarium is in line with my personal passions and philosophies,” Dr. Tuttle says.

#25 Another Vet Checkup. Another Instance Of Scared Big Boy With His Support Animal

Image credits: coreyschafer

#26 The Vet Put A Warning On My Dog's Medicine For Him Not To Operate Heavy Machinery Or Drive While Affected

Image credits: GreyCatOrangeBeard

#27 Cat Didn't Eat For 3 Days, Went To The Vet Where They Did An Ultrasound Only To Find A Belly Full Of The Neighbor's Cat's Food

Image credits: Mysticstorms

We hope you’re enjoying this list of wholesome and adorable moments from veterinarian clinics. We know your pets might not be thrilled the next time they have to visit the vet, but you can rest assured knowing that they are in loving, capable hands. Keep upvoting the pics that make you wish you had become a vet, and feel free to share any of your personal stories from working in or even just visiting vet clinics down below. Then if you’d like to check out our last article on the same topic, you can find more adorable pics of vets with their patients right here.