Donald F. Smith, DVM, DACVS
Professor of Surgery
Austin O. Hooey Dean Emeritus
Cornell University, New York
November 2010

By studying recorded history,
and by talking to those veterinarians whoadvanced the profession.

Dr. Lawrence ‘31and Mrs. Ann Waitz,
Cutchogue, NYDr. Takehiko
Takahashi

Dr. Gen Kato

1. Claude Bourgelat, Lyon Veterinary School, France
1861
2. Additional Schools in France, Germany, Britain,Spain, Italy
3. American veterinarians mostly came from Scottish
and British schools.

1. The dominance of the horse and ties to human
medicine (1850 – 1920)
2. The U.S. Land Grant system: focus on agriculture
and public health (1890 – 1960)
3. Companion animal medicine, clinical specialties andwomen veterinarians (1960 to present)
4. Biomedical research, information technology, and there-emergence of zoonotic diseases (1980 to present)1880:
175,000 horses in
New York City

When Horses
Ruled• Private colleges, located in cities• Associated with medical schools• Unregulated and variable quality

In 1910, there were 12,000 veterinarians (most in cities)
Physicians, farriers and spiritualists
also served as veterinarians

Ties to Medicine and Public HealthJames Law

William Osler Colleges in rural location
 Focus on agricultural species Admission for rural boys

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

United States Army
Bureau of Animal Industry
State, County and District Veterinarians
Municipal Meat and Dairy Product Inspection
Commissions for Tuberculosis, etc.
Educators in Comparative Pathology
Private Veterinary Practice (livestock)Small Animal Practices
When Horses
Developed in Cities
Ruled1880:
175,000 horses in
New York CityIn New York:The Animal
Medical Center 1960

1880:
175,000 horses in
New York City

Percentage of Women in DVM Graduating Classes at Cornell
10090

Percentage of Women

807060504030201001900

1920

1940

1960

Year of Graduation

1980

2000

2020

1880:
175,000 horses inNew York City

Zoonotic Diseases West NileVirus

REVIEW

1. The dominance of the horse and ties to humanmedicine (1850 – 1920)
2. The U.S. Land Grant system: focus on agriculture
and public health (1890 – 1960)
3. Companion animal medicine, clinical specialties andwomen veterinarians (1960 to present)
4. Biomedical research, information technology, and there-emergence of zoonotic diseases (1980 to present)

1.
2.
3.
4.

Dominance of Pet Care and Clinical Specialties
One Medicine and a Shrinking World
Low Public Funding for Veterinary Education
Rise of Corporations in Education and PracticeMRI - openLin Acc

Swine Flu: H1N1

Food Safety, Animal Welfare

Veterinary colleges have unique
opportunities for implementing novel
approaches that are emerging fromchemistry, physics and engineering.

The land grant paradigm which
continues to drive the selection of preveterinary undergraduate experiences isa serious barrier to these interactions.

REVIEW

1.
2.
3.
4.

Dominance of Pet Care and Clinical Specialties
One Medicine and a Shrinking World
Low Public Funding for Veterinary Education
Rise of Corporations in Education and PracticePlease visit the UnitedStates

Cornell Tour for Japanese Veterinary Students - 2010

Lectures on Zoonotic Diseasesof Global Impact

Social interactions with Cornell Students