“After the treatment of each animal, I admire my work and profession,” says veterinarian Aragats Ghulunts, who admitted that he didn’t initially dream of becoming a veterinarian upon finishing school.
In his modernly equipped veterinary clinic in the village of Tegh, Ghulunts reminisces about past discussions regarding his career choice. “I was dreaming of becoming a serviceman and had prepared my documents for admission to a military academy. I was the youngest in the family, and my mother was not reconciled to the idea of me living far away. I gave in to my mother’s urge and my father’s advice to become a veterinarian,” Ghulunts explained, emphasizing that his decision was made hastily and without any initial interest in the profession.
However, he quickly grew to love it. “If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have worked for 34 years,” he added with a smile, noting that he has never been absent from work in all that time.
After finishing his studies in Yerevan, Aragats Ghulunts started his career at the veterinary station in Goris. In 1992, after his father was wounded during the Artsakh war, he returned to his native village and became the community veterinarian in Tegh, serving the neighboring villages as well.
“The meeting with the Strategic Development Agency NGO has significantly impacted both my life and career,” Ghulunts noted, highlighting the organization’s support in equipping the veterinary center with modern tools and technology.
Over the years, the stereotype that there is no need to pay for animal treatment has changed. Today, veterinary services are recognized as paid services. Although Ghulunts finds it easier to work with animals than their owners, he emphasizes the importance of following safety rules, as animals can be aggressive. He recalled a recent incident: “I went to the farm to treat a cow. The cow was familiar; I had helped it a few days ago. I confidently approached, but it hit my knee so hard that I couldn’t move for a month.”
Ghulunts regrets that the number of large and small cattle in the region has significantly decreased in recent years, a decline attributed to the lack of pastures following the loss of liberated territories after the 2020 war. “Lack of income frustrates farmers from properly caring for their animals,” he regretfully recorded.
According to Aragats Ghulunts, the most important qualities for a veterinarian are respect and trust from farmers and the community, which are not easily earned. “It happens that you get a call at three or four o’clock in the morning. You wake up, get dressed, and without a word go to help the animal. You don’t even consider another option,” he shared, adding that he always keeps his phone available, ready to provide advice even over long distances.