Chicago students pursuing a doctor of veterinary medicine degree will likely turn to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana-Champaign, which has programs in veterinary biosciences, clinical medicine, pathobiology, and veterinary diagnostics. American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary technology programs are located at Joliet Junior College and Parkland College in Champaign. Degree programs to prepare students for veterinary school can be found at many Chicago colleges and universities. Pre-health studies at Loyola University, pre-professional studies at DePaul University, and pre-medical programs at the Illinois Institute of Technology all prepare students for post-graduate studies in veterinary medicine and related fields. Other excellent degree choices for students seeking careers in animal health care are the pre-medical degree at Dominican University, and the biological sciences programs at Northwestern University and Governor’s State University.

Significant growth is predicted for veterinary workers in Illinois in coming years, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. For veterinarians, job growth is expected to be 18% through 2012, and for veterinary technologists, growth is projected to be 35% through 2012.