They diagnose and control animal diseases, treat sick animals, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to people, and advise owners on proper care of pets and livestock.
Veterinarians ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the health of livestock.
They also protect the public from the residues of herbicides, pesticides, and antibiotics that may be found in livestock. They are involved in wildlife preservation and conservation, and use their knowledge to increase food production through genetics, animal feed production, and preventative medicine. Work Environment Veterinarians may work in private practice or as part of a veterinary health team. Those who treat pets and livestock usually work in veterinary clinics and hospitals. Those in large-animal practice may also work out of specially equipped trucks or cars and may drive considerable distances to farms and ranches.