The history of veterinary technology has deep roots, stretching back hundreds of years. If you are considering a career as a veterinary technologist, you might find it helpful to learn more about the roots of the profession, its development into its current industry, and what the future holds for this career. In this article, we cover the basics of veterinary technology – past, present, and future – so you can make an informed decision about your chosen career.
An Ancient Art: Veterinary Technology’s Roots
Veterinary technology goes back thousands of years. India is actually the first country on record to have practiced veterinary care: in 1900 BC, King Piyadasi built two hospitals in his country, one for people and one for animals. Fragments of ancient Egyptian papyrus, dated to around 1850 BC, include medical texts that reference cattle, dogs, fish, and birds. In ancient Rome, around 500 AD, the first book on the work of a veterinarius (the Latin word for veterinarian) was written. A thousand years later, in 1598, the second book about veterinarians was written in Italy: The Anatomy of the Horse, by Carlo Ruini.
The History of Veterinary Schools
While the history of veterinary science stretches back to the BC era, veterinary schools were not actually founded until the Age of Enlightenment. In 1761, the first veterinary school was established in Lyons, France, with Charles Benoit Vial de St. Bell as head. The school began treating horses in 1793. Across the Channel, the Royal Veterinary College was founded in 1791 with King George IV as its royal patron.
In America, veterinary schools did not get started until the mid-1800s. The first of these was the Veterinary College of Philadelphia, which ran from 1852 to 1866. The oldest accredited veterinary school still in operation in the United States is the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which was established in 1883.
Making Veterinary Medicine Official
In 1927, the Food, Drug and Insecticide Administration employed a veterinarian to assess vitamins and nutrition. In 1953, the Bureau of Medicine created a Veterinary Medical branch, which became known as the Bureau of Veterinary Medicine in 1965. Nearly twenty years later, in 1984, this entity became the Center for Veterinary Medicine.
The Current State of Veterinary Technology – And Its Future
Veterinary technologists and technicians accounted for 79,600 jobs in the United States in 2008. By 2018, the field is expected to grow 36%, which means there should be 108,250 jobs across the country. The career obviously has a good future, but what is the salary and benefits like? And what kind of education do you need?
There are four types of degrees you can get to practice veterinary technology. Their salaries are included in the list below:
- Associate of Applied Science ($11.08-$15.76)
- Associate of Science ($10.00-$17.17)
- Bachelor of Science ($10.17-$16.88)
- Bachelor of Science, Biology ($9.24-$14.78)
While salaries vary by degree, they are also influenced by the part of the industry you work in. Following are the top five job areas, with salaries:
- Veterinary Care ($10.86-$15.04)
- Hospital ($11.56-$16.10)
- Animal Shelter ($10.07-$14.00)
- Medical Services ($11.23-$15.71)
- Healthcare ($11.13-$15.55)
Among veterinary technologists, 91% work in veterinary services. It’s also a field that is dominated by women – 91% of technologists are female. 56% of those employed have medical benefits, 29% have dental, and 17% have vision coverage. 43% have no benefits at all. So keep that in mind as you begin your job search and try to negotiate benefits if you can.