The bias against women began to change about 20 years ago, Trent said. When she was admitted to the University of Georgia's program in 1977, she said about 20 percent of her classmates were women. During her second year, the number of women admitted rose to 30 percent. Bjorklund said during the early 1980s the number of female veterinary students grew to about 50 percent. But physical strength is not considered important in veterinary medicine now.
Women can do just about anything in veterinary medicine.
Greene said veterinarians understand more about the psychology of treating animals, including horses and cows. The invention of tranquilizers help animals relax and enable veterinarians to better treat their patients, she added. The high price of equipment and drugs to treat animals is driving up the cost of veterinary care, Greene said, while veterinarians are not able to charge the same prices for services. While managed care programs minimize the cost of treatment to human patients and support physician salaries, Greene said the lack of veterinary insurance lowers the earning potential of veterinary providers. The high cost of veterinary education alone might be enough to cause some potential vet students to reconsider.