There are some 55,000 veterinarians in the United States. Their practices range from solo endeavors in rural areas to teaching and research in the colleges of veterinary medicine. Some care for pets, others for livestock and still others care for exotic animals. All find interaction with human owners and colleagues a significant part of the practice of veterinary medicine. These professionals contribute to society by treating or preventing animal disease, improving the quality of the environment, ensuring the safety of foods, controlling diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans and advancing medical knowledge.
Veterinary practice is licensed by each state.
Graduate veterinarians apply for licenses in the state where they intend to set up practice. Once licensed, a veterinarian may practice veterinary medicine. Veterinary specialists are graduate veterinarians who have spent time in an internship. Such internships are usually one year in length. There are details of graduate internships that you may wish to investigate when at the veterinary college.