Want to be a veterinarian? Here are some ways you can prepare before you start saving animals.

Love animals: Karena Joung says she “felt a bond with dogs and cats ever since I was little.”

Volunteer at a shelter: There are many things kids can do there — from playing with the animals to cleaning cages. (Doing messy work is part of the job.)

Do well in school: Science and math are especially important: “You do so many calculations (and) every one of our dosages is exact,” Joung says. Veterinary schools are tough to get into, so you need good grades in high school.

Communicate well: Joung has to be able to carefully explain what she can or cannot do for a sick or injured animal. That task can be really difficult if the owners are as scared as their pets.

Know your options: Vets are needed in many settings, including farms, zoos, labs that make medicine for people and even the government. Different jobs might require very different skills.