Hello to everyone out there!

Let me first say how elated I am to see a vet student board on this website. I have been away from this site for a while, and I come back and see this--It's awesome!

Anyways, just wanted to know if there is anyone out there that plans to/is practicing large animal medicine. It seems that forums such as this are dominated by a huge number of small animal practitioner hopefuls. I'd love to hear from anyone out there who has a desire to work with large animals. What's your background? how have you prepared for the career? Which species interests you the most? What kinds of experiences have you had that have helped solidify your resolve?
Anything else you can think of.

A bit about me: I'm 23, taking a year off after the completion of my Bachelor's degree in science (biology major). I started university with every intention of getting my PHD and being a researcher---I soon figured out that this was not for me (took me 2 years to realize). I decided to volunteer with an equine vet (primarily because I was told I would be able to shaddow and see patients right away, as opposed to in small animal clinics, where some Vets don't allow shaddowing at all. I did this, and I fell in love with the profession. I've shaddowed several large animal vets since, plus I've managed several grass cattle farms over the past few summers. I just need to beef up my small animal experience and write the MCATS, and the rest is up to God.

I look foreward to hearing from others in similar situations,

Dan

I'm interested in equine, too! The main drawback is the schedule--they *always* have emergencies at odd hours and holidays, and the breeding/foaling season is organized chaos. On a lovely spring or autumn day, I'm all for the equine path; middle of February or August, I'm thinking small critters!:D
Of course, I just have to get into school first!

The pathway is really stressful around foaling and calving season. I shaddowed an equine vet a while back during foaling season--Man that guy was WAY overworked. The fourth time I went along with him he had just completed 7 straight 20 hr days, and that day we were out for 18--a light day he says--Nice. But seriously, I've encountered many large animal practitioners that do everything within their might to control being overworked--rotating on call duties, deals with other practices to cover emergencies etc... If it's something that you love doing, then you might as well do it. One of my vet friends said that the life as a large animal doc is SUPER stressful, but there is nothing in the world he would rather be doing. I hope I hold that same sentiment when I'm his age.