There are many professions competing for bright, talented people of color. Actually, women of color, because veterinary medicine has become a female dominated profession. There are lots of reasons for this, and it often comes down to alternatives in lifestyle and compensation that different professions offer. Ultimately, the desire to pursue veterinary medicine typically comes from one’s childhood experiences with animals. Yes, it really is a people oriented profession, but the impetus to pursue this profession starts with the emotional impact we had with an animal growing up.