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Links
American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS):
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM):
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP):
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
Definitions
So what exactly is a specialist?
Although many people use the word "specialist" to mean a veterinarian who just sees a single species, the word truly refers to a doctor who has completed a residency training and passed not just the state licensing exam, but also board-exams in their specialty.
Most new veterinary school graduates go right to work in private practices after their 4 years in veterinary school. They get hands-on experience from their supervising veterinarians, and are legally authorized to do any sort of medical or surgical techniques.
However, a small subset of veterinary school graduates undertake advanced training. This starts with an internship (either in private practice, like our program at Montana Equine, or in one of the 26 veterinary teaching hospitals in North America) and continues with a specialty residency. The most common residencies in equine veterinary care are in the fields of Internal Medicine, Surgery, or Reproduction (Theriogenology), but residencies also exist in radiology, oncology, anesthesia, critical care, and many other discrete fields. The beauty of this system is that future specialists get the benefit of training under current specialists, "the best of the best". Currently, Dr. Flint is completing his residency in Equine Surgery (training under Dr. Snyder) here at Montana Equine.
Only through completion of an approved residency program, including all the requirements of that particular discipline including passing a very tough entrance exam, can a veterinarian be called a "board-certified specialist". Dr. Heidmann completed his residency and specialty certification at UC Davis, and is currently the only Internal Medicine Specialist for large animals (horses, but also cows, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas) practicing in Montana.
