It takes a special kind of doctor to dedicate her or himself to the veterinary emergency and critical care field - one willing to face long hours, challenging medical and surgical cases, distressed pet owners, and stressful working conditions. Despite these hardships, emergency doctors thrive on the opportunity to help clients and pets at a time of real need. They enjoy the intellectual challenge of managing diverse and complex medical conditions in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment. Succeeding in this field requires highly developed medical skills, strong empathy for clients, and true compassion for patients.