Veterinarians Animals Places Veterinary Food States Medical Doctor

Veterinarians "treat" (give medical care for) the injuries and illnesses of pets and farm animals. They provide treatment for animals that is similar to what a doctor would do to treat people. They diagnose, treat, or research medical conditions and diseases of pets, "livestock" (animals raised for food and to make products), and animals in "zoos" (places where animals are kept in cages and people can see them), "racetracks" (places where animals participate in races or competitions), and "laboratories" (places where research is done).

Veterinarians who treat horses or livestock must travel between their offices and farms or ranches. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather and may have to perform "surgery" (cutting open a body or animal), often under "unsanitary" (not clean or healthy) conditions. Veterinarians who work in "food safety and inspection" (checking to see that food is handled correctly and safe to be sold and eaten) must travel to farms, "slaughterhouses" (places where animals are killed for food), and "food-processing plants" (where food is processed and packaged for sale).

Veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree at an "accredited" (given recognition or permission) college of veterinary medicine. As of 2012, there are 28 colleges in the United States with accredited programs.

All states require veterinarians to have a license. Licensing requirements "vary" (are different) by state, but all states require "prospective" (expecting or wanting to be) veterinarians to complete an accredited veterinary program and to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam.