Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Veterinarian"

To sign "veterinarian", begin by signing "doctor": hold your non-dominant hand out with the palm facing up, and tap the fingertips of your bent dominant hand against the inside of your non-dominant wrist. Immediately after, use your dominant hand to smoothly fingerspell the letters V, E, and T.

Examples Using "Veterinarian" in a Sentence

1

My dog is sick, so we are going to the veterinarian.

Start by signing 'dog' and 'sick' to establish the problem your pet is having. Then, use the sign for 'veterinarian'—combining 'doctor' and 'V-E-T'—to explain exactly where you are taking your pet to get medical help.

2

The veterinarian is very gentle with cats.

Begin by signing 'veterinarian' to introduce the subject of your sentence. Next, sign 'cat', and follow up with the sign for 'gentle' or 'nice' using a smooth, soft motion to describe the doctor's bedside manner.

3

I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up.

Point to yourself to indicate 'I', then sign 'want' and 'become'. Finish the sentence by signing 'veterinarian' to clearly state your future career goal. This is a great way to practice the full compound sign.

How to Sign "Veterinarian"
To sign "veterinarian", begin by signing "doctor": hold your non-dominant hand out with the palm facing up, and tap the fingertips of your bent dominant hand against the inside of your non-dominant wrist. Immediately after, use your dominant hand to smoothly fingerspell the letters V, E, and T.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'veterinarian' is a highly visual compound that blends a conceptual sign with an English abbreviation. The first part of the sequence is the standard ASL sign for 'doctor', which iconically represents a medical professional checking a patient's pulse by placing their fingers on the wrist. By immediately following this action with the fingerspelled letters 'V-E-T', the sign clearly specifies the type of doctor being discussed, relying on the common English shorthand for the profession.
Signing Tips
When signing 'veterinarian', focus on creating a smooth, seamless transition between the 'doctor' sign and the fingerspelled 'V-E-T'. You don't need to drop your hand completely after tapping your wrist; simply lift your dominant hand slightly and flow directly into the letter 'V'. Keep your fingerspelling hand steady and at a comfortable height near your upper chest or shoulder. Avoid bouncing your hand up and down with each letter, as keeping your hand still makes the spelling much easier for others to read.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is bouncing their hand for each individual letter when fingerspelling 'V-E-T'. This can make the word difficult to read, so try to keep your hand in a fixed, steady position while your fingers do the work. Another common error occurs during the 'doctor' portion of the sign: make sure you are tapping the inside of your wrist, where a pulse would be, rather than tapping higher up on your forearm or the back of your hand.
Regional Variations
While the combination of 'doctor' and 'V-E-T' is very clear and widely used, you will encounter a few variations depending on the region and context. Many signers prefer to simply fingerspell 'V-E-T' on its own, which is highly common in casual, everyday conversation. Another popular variation is signing 'animal' followed immediately by 'doctor'. All of these variations are correct, but observing how local Deaf signers refer to a veterinarian will help you choose the most natural option for your area.
Examples Using "Veterinarian" in a Sentence
1

My dog is sick, so we are going to the veterinarian.

Start by signing 'dog' and 'sick' to establish the problem your pet is having. Then, use the sign for 'veterinarian'—combining 'doctor' and 'V-E-T'—to explain exactly where you are taking your pet to get medical help.

2

The veterinarian is very gentle with cats.

Begin by signing 'veterinarian' to introduce the subject of your sentence. Next, sign 'cat', and follow up with the sign for 'gentle' or 'nice' using a smooth, soft motion to describe the doctor's bedside manner.

3

I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up.

Point to yourself to indicate 'I', then sign 'want' and 'become'. Finish the sentence by signing 'veterinarian' to clearly state your future career goal. This is a great way to practice the full compound sign.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to just fingerspell V-E-T without signing doctor?

Yes, absolutely! Fingerspelling 'V-E-T' on its own is extremely common and widely understood throughout the Deaf community. While adding 'doctor' provides excellent clarity, especially for beginners or in formal settings, the quick fingerspelled abbreviation is perfect for casual, everyday conversations.

Why do we tap the wrist for the first part of the sign?

The first part of this sequence is the standard sign for 'doctor'. It originates from the historical medical practice of a physician placing their fingers on a patient's wrist to check their pulse. It’s a great example of how ASL uses visual history to create meaning.

Should I mouth the word 'veterinarian' while I sign it?

You don't need to mouth the entire long word 'veterinarian'. Instead, it is much more natural to simply mouth the word 'vet' while you are fingerspelling the letters. This subtle mouthing helps clarify the abbreviation and matches the flow of the sign.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!