National Veterinary Technician Week is observed annually in the third week of October and this year, it will be held from October 16 to 22. It appreciates the dedication of veterinary technicians and creates awareness about the work they perform to keep our pets healthy and safe.
The week-long holiday also recognizes the various roles played by veterinary technicians and their dedication to the well-being of our furry friends.
Animal husbandry started around 13,000 B.C., beginning with the domestication and breeding of dogs, sheep, and goats. The practice was driven by the need to have food on hand when hunting was sparse. Dogs were the first animals to be domesticated — used for safeguarding hunting parties, assisting with hunting, and later shepherding cattle.
However, animal domestication didn’t take place all at once. Instead, it occurred in waves across continents. For example, the nomads in the Middle East were the first to domesticate sheep and goats, while the South Americans worked on taming alpacas and llamas. Several centuries later, we had domesticated horses as meat sources and later as pack animals, cows as working animals, and camels for traveling across the desert. These animals required maintenance and care, usually provided by animal doctors, local healers, or the owners.
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that veterinary practice became established when farriers started working as horse doctors and later during the Renaissance, which brought many changes. For example, the first treatise on horse anatomy was published by Carlo Ruini in 1598, followed by the establishment of the Worshipful Company of Farriers in 1674. Yet it wasn’t until 1762 that the first veterinary schools opened in France. Over the ensuing centuries, the practice picked up, and by the 1950s, the role of veterinary technicians had come into existence.
13,000 Years Ago The Beginning of Animal Domestication Animal domestication begins and spreads across several continents.
1900 B.C. A List of Veterinary Medicine The Papyrus of Kahun lists the uses of specific veterinary medicines.
1762 A.D. The First Veterinary School Claude Bourgelat establishes the first veterinary school in Lyon, France.
1950s An Animal Technology Training Program The first animal technology training program starts in the military and then at the State University of New York.
What is the earliest evidence of veterinary medicine? The Papyrus of Kahun is the earliest existing document mentioning veterinary medicine.
Why did Bourgelat establish the first veterinary medicine school? Bourgelat started the school to find a remedy for the devastation caused by the cattle plague.
How long have vet techs been around? Veterinary technicians have been around since the early 1950s.
Research the profession Research the responsibilities of veterinary technicians. Understand how they contribute to a veterinary practice. You’ll be able to appreciate the technician holding your pet the next time you go to the vet.
Send a gift card Send a gift card to a veterinary technician you know. Explain to your colleague or friend why you think their work is invaluable. Even a short complimentary phrase will bring a smile to their face.
Spend a day assisting them Some veterinary hospitals welcome volunteers. Try to spend a few days on the job and learn how you could assist a veterinary technician.
The father of veterinary technology Dr. Walter E. Collins is generally considered the father of veterinary technology in the U.S.
Women as vets Around 80% of all vets in the U.S. are women.
Animals to human diseases More than half of all human diseases originate in animals.
Not just for cats and dogs About 16% of all veterinary services are dedicated to non-companion animals, wildlife, and farm animals.
A promise between horses and vets Around 6% of all veterinary services are dedicated to horses.
It appreciates animals Animals experience emotional, mental, and physical health issues just like humans. Veterinary technicians can take care of the healthcare problems of animals.
It highlights veterinary technicians Being a veterinary technician is a highly underappreciated job. So, we love that National Veterinary Technician Week allows us to appreciate the efforts and dedication of veterinary technicians.
It creates awareness A job as a veterinary technician comes with its risks. No matter how docile an animal is, there is still a chance that it may attack the technician during the examination. National Veterinary Technician Week creates awareness about this often-ignored aspect of veterinary practice.
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