What is a Specialist?

The veterinary profession has a strong commitment to providing high quality medical and surgical care for animals. A veterinary specialist is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) who has made the choice to advance their formal study in one specific area of veterinary practice. The American Veterinary Medical Association currently recognizes 20 specialty colleges with board-certified members .

Each specialty college has its own rigorous training program and certification process including a comprehensive board examination. These highly selective programs are similar to residency training programs in human medicine, and typically run 3 to 4 years beyond the veterinary degree. Only those veterinarians having earned Diplomate status in a specialty college, have in turn earned the right to call themselves specialists.

Links to Veterinary Specialty Colleges: