Girl Power! The Veterinarians Of The Future
When you ask little girls what they want to be when they grow up the answers vary - a doctor, an astronaut, a mommy, an artist, a vetuh…animal doctor!
As we get ready to celebrate International Women's Day (March 8), we take a look at a profession that has had noticeable change even within the last few years.
In the last 10+ years, more and more women have entered the field of Veterinary Science. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges reported that from 1970 to 2017, female students enrolled in U.S. veterinary colleges went up from 11 to 80.5 percent. As of 2016, women make up 78% of veterinary medical students.
Better yet, more women are taking on leadership roles and specializing in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, holistic treatments, regenerative therapies, as well as others. And more women are opening their practices! While there is still room for growth in that area of leadership, it is a trend that is rapidly growing and laying a strong foundation for future female veterinarians.
Our own Dr. Cynthia Benbow falls into that category of leadership, having started her practice almost 15 years ago. She also specialized and has become a leading authority in complementary treatments such as acupuncture, botanical medicine, and stem cell therapy. BVS's Dr. Amanda Newman is also setting a precedence by honing her skills in animal surgery and gaining a reputation as one of the top animal surgeons in the greater New Orleans area.
So, while becoming a princess might be a little more challenging (who knows, maybe one day they'll meet Prince George!), supporting their dream to become a veterinarian can begin now. Here are some resources to inspire your little princess to lead the next generation of veterinarians!
Books:
- Biscuits Visits the Doctor (ages 4-8)
- Olivia Becomes A Vet (ages 4-6)
- A Day in The Life of a Veterinarian (ages 6-9)
- Fight for Life (ages 9-12)
- Firehorse (ages 12+)
Veterinary Themed Toys:
- Melissa & Doug Veterinarian Costume Set (ages 3-6)
- Melissa & Doug Examine & Treat Pet Vet Play Set (ages 3+)
- Disney's Doc McStuffins has a few vet-themed playsets (ages 3-7)
Additional articles and resources cited:
