Treatment and preventive healthcare for dogs, cats, other pets, reptiles, and birds. Advising animal owners on matters of feeding, animal care and breeding, acting in an intermediary capacity for animal welfare and protection issues related to keeping animals, and preventing transmission of diseases to humans and other animals. Veterinarians who operate their own practices maintain close relations with their clients (animal owners) and typically treat patients at their practice during certain specific scheduled hours. Scientific activity of a theoretical or clinical and applied nature, conceptual design of research projects, publication of results of research, national and international contact with research institutions, training and educating students, self-qualification, patient care in clinical settings.