“Being a veterinarian is an honorable job, because you deal with animals,” Artur Titanyan began the conversation with a convincing voice, stepping into the cattle barn in a special outfit.
The cattle farm, where we met Artur Titanyan, is located in the Tashir community. It is built in line with modern standards and harmoniously complements the picturesque nature of Lori, creating a wonderful scene of agrarian life.
It was this beautiful landscapes that accompanied the 60-year-old veterinarian throughout his life and influenced his choice of profession.
“My parents kept cattle. My interest and love for them started from there,” Titanyan recalls his childhood, adding that his parents did not interfere, and he became a veterinarian on his own accord.
Throughout his career, he was sure that by saving the lives of animals, he helps people. He told about such an episode with great enthusiasm.
“You know, in families making ends meet, cows provide the main source of income. Once in one such family, a cow was supposed to give birth, but a complication arose. They could not provide proper help and when I arrived, they had already decided to slaughter it. I managed to save both the cow and the calf with the help of the birthing device. You will not imagine the happiness of the owners. They were so happy that they decided to present the calf to me. Of course, I didn’t take it, but that feeling that I not only saved the animals, but helped a family” Artur Titanyan does not hide the feeling of pride and the sparkle in his eyes.
Despite the conscientious attitude towards his profession, Titanyan speaks with sadness about the stereotypical perceptions of the public, that the profession of a veterinarian is mostly associated with unpleasant smells and dirty work. He sees the main problem in the forgetting of the profession, lack of awareness.
“We save not only the lives of animals, but also prevent the spread of public diseases and epidemics,” our interlocutor emphasizes the importance of the role of veterinarians, expecting the public’s understanding and appropriate attitude.
Meanwhile, the work of a veterinarian, despite being in demand, attracts a few as a profession.
“There is no such day that a veterinarian leaves the house, does not do a good deed and does not get paid,” assures Artur Titanyan, stressing that a good specialist is appreciated and paid properly. He says the same to the students and apprentices visiting the animal farm. The latter are students studying in colleges with a dual educational system.
According to the veterinarian, in recent years there has been a positive shift in the promotion of the profession due to the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) program, within the framework of which veterinary is included among the professions taught with a dual educational system.
Artur Titanyan also hopes that many girls will choose this profession.
“The opportunities opened up by the sector are enormous. If they do not want to enter a cattle farm, they can definitely wear nice clothes and work in the field of food ssecurity, in laboratories, veterinary pharmacies, vet clinics,” Titanyan tries to stimulate interest in the profession of a veterinarian, using this opportunity of being interviewed.

Hiriknaz Egnatosyan has been working for many years as a veterinarian in Gtashen settlement of Amasia community. He has also been engaged in animal husbandry for many years.

Veterinary is the most desirable profession for those who love animals, and many children begin to indicate their interest in this profession at a very early age.  Since I was a little child, I have enjoyed playing with and caring for animals. During my school years, I also developed an interest in the areas of biology and chemistry. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to become a veterinarian when I had to choose my career. My parents learnt that there had been a chance for rural residents without exams to be admitted to the Yerevan Zootechnical-Veterinary Institute on the condition that they would return to the area and practice medicine in Amasia after graduation.

This idea excited me a lot, I thought it was a good opportunity to fulfill my dream, get a higher education, get a job and stay in the same place where I was born and grew up.

I moved to Yerevan to study, where I also met my future husband, who came to Armenia from Georgia to study veterinary.

Since we both loved this profession, we participated in both theoretical and practical classes with great love and enthusiasm. After graduation, we settled in the village of Gtashen in Amasia and both of us got jobs: I started working as the manager of the Gtashen district Zootechnical-Veterinary Station, and my husband as a veterinarian.

The profession of a veterinarian is very interesting. If you love your profession, you will definitely succeed. Your life’s work should bring you joy, satisfaction and increase your self-esteem.

For about 30 years, my husband and I have been working as veterinarians, serving two villages: Gtashen and Kamkhut. We have a 24-hour veterinary point-pharmacy.

I am glad that I made the exact decision in choosing my profession at the right time and if I had the chance again, I would choose the same profession.
Veterinary is a very important profession in terms of maintaining human health. We veterinarians often say that a doctor treats people and a veterinarian treats humanity. Many people are unaware that certain diseases, known as zoonotic diseases, can be contracted from animals and then transferred to humans. If we do not cure animals or stop the spread of diseases among them, the number of illnesses and epidemics that can affect humans will be several times higher.

After many years of practice as a veterinarian, I am pleased to say that I have assisted numerous farmers and provided guidance on how to properly care for animals or rapidly address illnesses before seeking the assistance of veterinarians.