People grow emotionally attached to their pets. They treat their dogs, cats and birds like another member of the family. And, like humans, pets and other animals such as livestock and those in laboratories, sometimes need medical attention. To handle this, people call on a veterinarian.

More information American Veterinary Medical Association 1931 North Meacham Road Suite 100 Schaumberg, Ill. 60173 (847) 925-8070

Veterinarians diagnose medical problems, mend wounds, set broken bones, prescribe and administer medicine and vaccinations. They also advise owners on care and breeding.

These medical professionals not only care for the health of animals but also work to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and do research on animal and health problems.

Most work in private practice with the majority caring for smaller "companion animals" in one of 20,000 animal hospitals or clinics across the country.

Others in private practice work exclusively with larger animals, normally cows and horses, and usually drive to farms to provide their services. Their work is often preventive care, maintaining the health of food animals. A small percentage of veterinarians work in mixed practices, handling both pets and other non-domestic animals like pigs and sheep.

Veterinarians employed in the public sector work in regulatory medicine or as inspectors. As livestock inspectors, these vets check animals for disease and quarantine animals when necessary. Veterinarians who work as meat inspectors examine slaughtering and processing plants, check live animals and carcasses for disease and enforce sanitation regulations.

With so many people having some kind of pet in their homes, there is always a demand for the services of veterinarians. According to statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association, 31.6 percent of U.S households have a dog, while 27.3 percent have at least one cat. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21 to 35 percent job growth between 1996 and 2006.

Competition for the field is strong, with only one of every three applicants to one of the 27 accredited veterinary colleges actually accepted in 1996. Cornell University has the closest accredited program to our area.

All states require veterinarians to be licensed. For licensure, they must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and pass a State board examination.

The AMVA indicates that those veterinarians in private practice specializing exclusively in large animal care had the highest average earnings in 1995, at $63,547. Those who worked exclusively with small animals, 57.2 percent, averaged $57,992.