The graduating veterinary class of 2010 will be made up of around 77-78% female veterinary students. This high ratio of female to male veterinary students has been consistent for the past several years after decades of ever-higher female enrollment in colleges of veterinary medicine. In the mid to late 1980’s veterinary colleges graduated approximately equal numbers of men and women, but since that time women graduates have dominated. Why is that? Several theories are batted around in the profession. Is it because women in general have been drawn to the health sciences with similar numbers seen in the psychology and pharmacy professions? Is it the lower salaries that starting veterinarians can expect to earn in respect to other health professionals? Or is it the affinity women have in general for companion animals such as dogs, cats and horses? Some fear that veterinary medicine is not part of the conversation when male students look at career choices.
It is interesting to note that in human medicine and dentistry the graduating classes are made up of just under 50% women. Why the disparity with veterinary medicine? Again, look at the above theories for potential answers. Some feel human medicine provides much more bang for the buck. Regardless, our profession in general is trying to reflect today’s societal demographic with some schools reaching out to male and minority students. Some fear a shortage of food animal veterinarians, a segment of the field that has been historically more male oriented due to the physical intensity of the work, is one reason to recruit more males into the veterinary work force.
Bottom line- look for more women veterinarians to be treating your companion animals in the future and if you’re a guy with an interest in the profession there has never been a better time than now to pursue those dreams.
Peter G Fisher, DVM
From the February 15, 2010, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
