International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Categories:: Animal
Tags:: Career Pet Health
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every December 9
Holiday emoji:: 🐾

International Day of Veterinary Medicine recognizes the crucial role of veterinarians and animal health professionals every December 9. It’s a day to appreciate their dedication to animal welfare, public health, and scientific advancement. Thank a vet, learn about their work, or support an animal health initiative.

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History
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Expected International Day of Veterinary Medicine Deals

For International Day of Veterinary Medicine, expect appreciation programs and special offers for veterinary professionals. Many veterinary supply companies, like Covetrus and Henry Schein Animal Health, often run promotions on equipment and pharmaceuticals. Pet food brands such as Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin may offer educational resources or discounts through vet clinics. Local pet stores and grooming services might provide special rates for vet staff. Additionally, professional organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) often highlight member benefits and career development opportunities. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 9 approaches.

Platform Guide for International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #VeterinaryMedicineDay. Share stories of inspiring vets or discuss industry trends.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #VeterinaryMedicineDay. Highlight important research or thank a local vet clinic.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #VeterinaryMedicineDay. Post photos of your pets with a shout-out to their care team.

International Day of Veterinary Medicine Hero

James Herriot (James Alfred Wight)

James Alfred Wight, better known by his pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and writer. His semi-autobiographical books, starting with 'If Only They Could Talk,' chronicled his life as a country vet in Yorkshire, endearing the profession to millions worldwide and inspiring countless aspiring veterinarians.

History of International Day of Veterinary Medicine

The practice of taking care of animals and preventing and curing diseases that ail them goes back all the way to the Neolithic period, which contains the first recorded evidence of a cow that had undergone trepanation, or trephination – a type of skull surgery involving the drilling of holes to treat injury or pain. ‘Horse doctoring’ was one of the first organized veterinary professions to emerge in the Arabic world in the 9th century because of the economic and military significance of horses. The horseshoe makers, or farriers, of London were even encouraged by the Lord Mayor to form a ‘fellowship’ in 1356 to improve their practice of tending to horses.

Professionalisation efforts in France received a boost after the outbreak of rinderpest among cattle, and the first veterinary school was established in 1762 by Claude Bourgelat, who is now a legend in the field. Other societies linked to agriculture and industry also played a vital role in establishing the profession of veterinary care due to the overlapping interests between the fields. Britain got its first veterinary school in 1790 while America had to wait almost a century more for the first public veterinary college offering a four-year degree in Iowa State University.

According to the latest figures published by the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are 133,394 veterinarians in the U.S. and 309,144 veterinary doctors in Europe. The profession is only growing in global significance with the rise of zoonotic diseases that spread from animals to humans.

International Day of Veterinary Medicine timeline

2nd Millennium B.C.

First Extant Record of Veterinary Medicine

The “Papyrus of Kahun” from the 12th Dynasty of Egypt is known to be the first written record of veterinary medicine still in existence.

3rd Century B.C.

A Treatise on Horse Medicine

During the rule of Emperor Ashoka in India, a treatise titled “Shalihotra Samhita” records that “Everywhere King Piyadasi (Ashoka) made two kinds of medicine available, medicine for people, and medicine for animals”.

1762

The First Veterinary School is Established

Rinderpest, or cattle plague, sweeps through Europe in the 18th century and gives Claude Bourgelat the opportunity to open the first veterinary school in Lyon, France.

1863

American Veterinary Medical Association

Practitioners from seven states in the U.S. convenes to form The United States Veterinary Medical Association (USVMA), which becomes AVMA in 1898.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Local businesses can honor International Day of Veterinary Medicine by supporting their community’s animal health heroes. Pet supply stores could offer discounts to veterinary staff with valid ID, while restaurants might provide catering for clinic appreciation lunches. Businesses could also partner with local shelters or animal welfare organizations for donation drives, encouraging customers to contribute to animal care. Highlighting the importance of veterinary services through social media campaigns or in-store signage can also raise awareness and foster goodwill.

International Day of Veterinary Medicine FAQs

When is International Day of Veterinary Medicine?

International Day of Veterinary Medicine 2026 falls on Wednesday, December 9. It’s a dedicated day to acknowledge the vital contributions of veterinary professionals globally.

How many veterinarians are there worldwide?

Globally, there are estimated to be over 1.5 million veterinarians, with the number steadily growing. These professionals work in diverse fields, from companion animal care to public health and research.

What is the average salary for a veterinarian?

In the United States, the median annual salary for veterinarians was approximately $103,260 in May 2023, though this can vary significantly based on specialization, experience, and location.

What is the difference between a DVM and a VMD?

Both DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) and VMD (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris) are equivalent degrees that qualify an individual to practice veterinary medicine. The difference is purely in the nomenclature used by specific universities, with VMD being unique to the University of Pennsylvania.

How To Observe International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Schedule a health check-up for your pet
If you have pets at home but have been neglecting to take them to the pet clinic or hospital for their annual visit, now is the time to schedule it. Once they are examined, vaccinated, and groomed for the new year, maybe it is time for you to book a health check-up yourself! As they say, prevention is better than cure.
Thank your veterinary doctor
Veterinary doctors perform a vital job without the recognition bestowed on a human doctor. Even if it’s not a thankless job, they are definitely thanked less than other doctors so it’s not a bad idea to set the record straight today. Send them a note or a card expressing your gratitude for their service.
Visit a pet adoption center close to you
If you have never had a pet, you are missing out. As Anatole France said, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”. Even if you have had pets before but don’t have one currently, you can consider visiting your local animal shelter or adoption center. Take the plunge again and make room for a lovable critter.

5 Facts About Veterinary Medicine

Bourgelat also started with horses
The founder of the first veterinary school was first the director of the Lyon Academy of Horsemanship.
Cows helped cure cervical cancer
Research on cattle diseases led to the development of a vaccine against the Human Papilloma Virus, which causes cervical cancer in women.
Poultry catalyzed the cancer cure
Similarly, a vaccine developed for the poultry sector was also the first anti-cancer vaccine for humans.
Pets improve our health
There are now many studies that show decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk of stroke among families with pet animals.
Zoonotic diseases are rising
60% of emerging diseases among humans are zoonotic or transmitted by animals, especially wildlife.

Why International Day of Veterinary Medicine Is Important

Animal health is linked to human health
Many medicinal breakthroughs in the veterinary field have helped improve human healthcare and treatment. Apart from vaccines, even organ transplants were first developed in animal care, and of course, pet animals have great therapeutic abilities.
Animal disease is linked to human disease
We need to be more vigilant about animal health, welfare, and engagement if we are to ensure a healthy human population. Ebola, Zika, and SARS all have animal origins and more diseases are likely in the future if we don’t alter the way we deal with animals.
Veterinarians deserve recognition
Despite the clear linkages with human health, animal doctors are sidelined in the medical profession and are not seen as equal to medical practitioners focused on humans. This discrimination has to end and veterinarians must be recognized for serving a vital function in the healthcare sector as a whole.