International Day of Veterinary Medicine is celebrated each year on December 9^th. This day was established to bring recognition to the tremendous efforts and impact of veterinary professionals around the world. Most pet owners appreciate the invaluable services veterinarians provide in keeping their pets happy and healthy, but there are additional reasons to recognize this group of dedicated, hard workers.

If you’ve been following along with our blog, then you’ve definitely heard the term “One Health.” In fact, we recently shared a blog recognizing One Health Day. One Health is the idea that veterinary and human health are inextricably linked. For instance, advances made in veterinary medicine have also helped in human healthcare. Examples include vaccines, organ transplants, numerous medications, and even stem cell therapy!

Another example of the link between human health and the health of animals is zoonotic diseases, or diseases that can be passed between animals and humans. There are numerous zoonotic diseases including rabies, intestinal parasites, and multiple viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. By controlling these diseases in animals, veterinary professionals are also helping to ensure a healthy human population.

So while we may appreciate our veterinarians for their tireless work to keep our pets feeling their best, International Day of Veterinary Medicine is a day to recognize the field as a whole. All veterinary professionals from vets to techs to scientists have a hand in keeping animals, and thereby people, healthy.