Also called: Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, DACVB
A veterinarian who specializes in serious behavior problems in animals, like aggression and severe anxiety.
Meets a family whose dog bit a child, watches videos of the dog's behavior, rules out medical causes like pain, then builds a plan combining training, environment changes, and anxiety medication.
Estimate; fewer than 100 practice in the US.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 12 years after high school. DVM plus a 3-year behavior residency and board certification.
Ways in: Professional school, Graduate school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Animal Behavior, Psychology, Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Video analysis and AI tools help track behavior; diagnosing serious aggression or anxiety and prescribing treatment stay with the vet.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1131.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.