It takes between five and seven years to study medicine or veterinary science. And it costs an average of $70,000 for each degree. If you have a Commonwealth support place where the government subsidises your fees. But that's where the similarity ends. The starting salary for a doctor is around $73,000 annually. It rises to $103,000 after around three years, with the average GP earning $150,000 Plus after just a few years in the job. When vets graduate, they pocket around $55,000 in their first year, that goes up to around 75,000 Within three years, but they'll be lucky to earn $100,000 annually, even after years in the job. And keep in mind, they're not just dealing with one kind of body, the human body, they need to know the anatomy and physiology of a whole lot of species, from dogs, cats, cows and pigs, to horses, birds, snakes and rabbits. Let's go a step further. Thank you about the relationship you have with your dog or cat, and what that means for your physical and your mental health. Now, take a look in your fridge. I'm sure you'll find meat, eggs, milk or cheese on the shelf. How about those nature walks that you enjoy, where you might spot a koala or a go Anna or even a kookaburra. Or perhaps you're on the land or have an agriculture business and rely on our huge export market to make $1. Whether you have a pet, where will drink lattes, enjoy a steak, like twitching, or don't mind a flutter on the races. There are literally billions of dollars tied up in Australia's animals. And the economic, physical and emotional dependence we have on them mean vets are vital. So is it fair to compare human and animal medicine? I think without a doubt, it is.