2011 declared as World Veterinary Year to celebrate History of Veterinary Profession

FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine together with other national and
international veterinary groups declared 2011 as the World Veterinary
Year. 2011 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the world's
first veterinary school in Lyon, France. World Veterinary Year, or
Vet2011 is to celebrate the rich history of the veterinary profession
and the veterinarians around the world who continue to protect human
and animal health.

The world's first veterinary school was founded in Lyon, France, in
1761. The Alfort veterinary school was next to come up near Paris in
1764. Both the schools were founded at the initiative of French
veterinarian Claude Bourgelat. Thus the year 2011 marks the 250th
world anniversary of veterinary education. By setting up the world's
first veterinary training institutions, Bourgelat also created the
veterinary profession itself. Thus, 2011 also marks the 250th world
anniversary of the veterinary profession.

Bourgelat was also the first scientist who dared to suggest that
studying animal biology and pathology would help to improve
understanding of human biology and pathology. 2011 also marks the
250th anniversary of the concept of comparative biopathology.