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Veterinary Medicine

May 23, 2013

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Profile America -- Thursday, May 23rd. There are few bonds in nature to rival that between pets and their owners. Most pets are rewarded for their loyalty and devotion with shelter, food, and welcome attention. Though less welcome, they are also rewarded with medical care. Pets commonly make several visits a year to the veterinarian for annual shots and a checkup. Of course, they also go to the vet if they get sick or hurt. The first veterinary school in the U.S. opened on this date in 1879 at Iowa State College -- now university -- in Ames, Iowa. Today, there are nearly 44,000 veterinarians offices located around the U.S. They take care of the nation's 72 million dogs, 82 million cats, 11 million birds and more than 7 million horses. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: 440 International Calendar of Events, Those Were the Days
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 54194
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/hierarchy/i54194.htm
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1241
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/arts_recreation_travel.html