While children's books portray the veterinary profession as the logical career choice for anyone who loves animals (Ames, 2010; Macken, 2011; Murray, 2013; Thomas, 2009), the actual reality of the profession and its relationship to animals is considerably more murky. For example, while the public image of veterinarians is centered on the kindly, trained person who knows how to take care of their companion animal (usually a cat or a dog), veterinarians also care for animals who are raised and slaughtered for human consumption and used in zoos, aquariums, circuses, and laboratory research.