Dr. Jim Ralston graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971 and after serving in the Army Veterinary Corps for two years he returned to his hometown of  El Dorado, Arkansas and in 1973 began practicing with Dr. Carey Clark. After years of mixed animal practice he began to concentrate on small companion animals only and today the practice is entirely a companion animal medicine practice. Dr. Ralston's primary area of focus is surgery.  He likes new gadgets and enjoys endoscopic examination of the intestinal and pulmonary sytems. Dr. Ralston was appointed by Governor Huckabee in April of 2002 to a five year term on the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The examining board is made up of four veterinarians and one public member. One of its functions is to license veterinarians in the state and to control and monitor that licensure. This is a state regulatory board empowered to protect the public.