A Profession for the Birds: What It's Like to Be a Vet for Exotic Pets

Lots of Americans hold unique jobs, but few can claim to be one out of only 130 people worldwide. That's about how many aviary veterinarians -- professionals trained to understand the medical needs of birds -- there are in the world.

Laurie Hess is one of the few to have pursued a career in this field. The 45-year-old mother of two got into the business because there's no shortage of big-box retailers, such as PetSmart and Petco, that sell these type of animals, she says. "They're not solely selling cats and dogs."