What Is A Veterinary Specialist?
    When you are suffering from a complicated medical condition or want a second opinion, your doctor can send you to a specialist. Did you know that veterinary medicine has all the same specialty groups as human medicine? That's right! There are veterinarians who have spent years above and beyond veterinary school, in internships and residencies, gaining expert knowledge in a specific area. Specialty areas include: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Reproduction, Anesthesia and many more! Board certified veterinary specialists are here to work with you and your general practitioner to help diagnose and manage difficult cases.  While we're often found at large hospitals and universities, some specialists have consulting services, where veterinarians and pet owners can seek out their expert advice.  

Joan Norton VMD DACVIM (LAIM) heads our Internal Medicine Consultation Department. Dr. Norton continued her education after veterinary school by completing a rotating internship (surgery/medicine/anesthesia) at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY. The next three years were spent at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center completing a large animal internal medicine residency. She is now board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. While her focus has mainly been equine (especially neonatology), she has extensive experience with cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and a particular interest in camelid medicine.