If you work in a veterinary practice or in the pet industry or in a business that supplies goods or services to the industry and you have something to say - why not become a 'Guest Blogger'?
There was just SO much to unpack in this opinion piece and I was pleased that Dr Jocelyn Birch Baker(Practice Owner & Director of Smooth Operating Vets) took on the challenge in a post on the Smooth Operating Vets LinkedIn Page and even more pleased when she gave me the OK to turn her response into a blog post….
The feminisation of veterinary science is, of course, a welcome part of the increasing number of highly educated women entering all the professions. But cultural and social movements often have unintended consequences. For the sake of people in rural and regional Australia, and for some of our largest export industries, is it time for the profession to seek to recruit male students? That’s a debate worth having.
Male vets are a dying breed, and it’s not helping a critical shortage, Margot Saville, WAtoday
Oh bless, she has been to a vet and is now an authority on our profession?
Yes, about 80% of veterinarians currently working in our industry are women and if you also consider the support staff, it consists of about 97% women.
However, if you analysed the history of vets in rural and regional areas, you would find the following;
Male vets went out into rural areas in the 70s and 80s to do the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis eradication scheme. This was paid for by the government otherwise, it wouldn’t have been viable.
Most of the clinics in the rural and regional areas are now owned and run by women.
If men want to do veterinary science, they can. If they do not see it as a worthwhile or viable choice, then that’s fine too.
The farmers’ associations fought to deregulate pregnancy testing in cattle so anyone with or without the skills is allowed to do it. Hence less work for vets practising in regional areas.
There are non-vet equine dentists now doing dentistry work that a properly trained vet should be doing.
Rural areas have changed considerably, and the reliance on data analysis and data collection calls for smart, dedicated, high-level veterinarians, not brute force.
Conditions are such that work with livestock is considerably safer for any vet due to the adherence to workplace health and safety rules. However, no pregnant vet should be doing calvings.
How do I know this?
I’ve had nearly 40 years of experience as a veterinarian. I have a practice in a regional area of Queensland where all of our staff are women and they have no desire to go to the ‘city’.
I worked as a veterinarian in rural Queensland for many years, preg testing cows, semen testing bulls, and setting up a vaccination program and a feedlot. I was castrating and suturing horses. More recently, I was involved in In Vitro Fertilisation in cattle.
For the sake of people in rural and regional Australia, and for some of our largest export industries, is it time for the profession to seek to recruit male students? That’s a debate worth having.
Male vets are a dying breed, and it’s not helping a critical shortage, Margot Saville, WAtoday
Actually, no it is not.
My fellow women vets and I have given blood, sweat and tears (literally!) to be veterinarians and will not tolerate this attitude.
Men have demonstrated that they do not want to be veterinarians. Data suggests that some of the reasons are:
It’s a role that is no longer seen as ‘masculine’
Wages are low, and women dominate the profession.
Men like opportunities that are found in the cities also.
We can all choose our career plans, and we do.
Women live and work in rural and regional areas. They are on export ships, in the stockyards and analysing data on genetic improvement. They are behind the go-ahead companies running and working in practices. And we absolutely love it.
What does the veterinary industry really need?
What we need is for everyone in every community to know what a wonderful career choice it is to be a veterinarian.
We need there to be due respect shown for our skills and abilities.
We need there to be a fair payment made for the benefits we bring to each and every person in Australia.
Dr Jocelyn Birch Baker graduated in 1983. She worked in clinical practice for a number of years, as well as in the beef cattle space and also had 2 children. She then returned to clinical work as a single parent and was fortunate to work in a practice where her family's live was never questioned. She was supported and encouraged which meant she was not only able to be involved in as much clinical work as possible but also completed post-graduate courses. Both of her children are now professionals in their own fields. She now owns and manages High Street Veterinary Surgery in Queensland - a VERY female-oriented practice that provides both the flexibility and necessary structure to ensure the mums on her team are happy and confident to return to work after maternity leave. She now strongly believes it is time for her to share her learnings and support with as many women in the veterinary industry as she can, so they too can experience the wonderful opportunity to have children and also have a fantastic career in the clinical veterinary space. If you would like to find ways of moving back to clinical work with knowledge and confidence...
Well, this is hardly revolutionary news. There has been an increase in the number of female vets since the mid 80s. That’s not a bad thing but, people have been talking about the issues this brings . The bias is so heavily in the direction of women that it has gone too far and, we are now living with the consequences. In the interests of diversity, inclusivity and equality there needs to be a more balanced workforce for the profession As with all things the extremes are bad and the middle ground shows reason.
Thanks for your comments Robert – I think talking about the situation and listening to the opinions of everyone who works in our industry is a great place to start.
I’m also interested to know what the bias towards women is that you’re referring to. Do you feel there’s a bias at the university level or in the workplace? To be fair, I’ve lived and worked in a world that’s heavily biased towards men, so if it is occurring maybe it might go towards evening out the last few hundred years.
I don’t think anyone would disagree though that we’d all benefit from an industry where everyone had access to the same opportunities and diversity was valued.
I am sure you realize there is a bias towards people of ‘minority/’victim’ groups’ rather than employing people based on talent. This is no better seen than in the USA with Democratic policies and corporates like Disney. I doubt this actually happens in the veterinary Industry here now, as we would all employ just about anybody with a viable vet registration such is the shortage. Does it happen at university entrance??? I have no idea. All I would say is that the industry seemed best/well balanced to me, when the people qualifying was about 50:50 but now? When my nephew qualified he was only one of two males vets in a class of 90+ That cant be a good thing.
As for “evening out the last few hundred years” ??? If you are seeing this female bias as ‘payback’ or ‘eternal reparations’ then we are truly in trouble. I’m more concerned about NOW and the perilous state the industry is in.
We as a profession have such an opportunity to lead the world in showing how we can manage a profession filled with people who are totally devoted to it and have the fantastic emotional intelligence and empathy to be the best veterinarians we have ever seen.
The complexities of being a vet these days are incredible. The changes in technology, equipment, clients, patients, and expectations are mind-blowing.
We cannot afford to drop any standards in any area.
I take my hat off to those who wish to work hard, be dedicated, save animals and prevent disease. To those who have an impact on the food availability and quality worldwide and do the research to save all lives. Our veterinary degree is an amazing degree and is needed worldwide, and I support anyone who takes on the challenge.
Zoetis supporting the mental health of veterinarians, practice staff and nurses, as they work with their communities. Zoetis, the leading animal health business, has reached its goal of raising $100,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service to support mental health...
Well, this is hardly revolutionary news. There has been an increase in the number of female vets since the mid 80s. That’s not a bad thing but, people have been talking about the issues this brings . The bias is so heavily in the direction of women that it has gone too far and, we are now living with the consequences. In the interests of diversity, inclusivity and equality there needs to be a more balanced workforce for the profession As with all things the extremes are bad and the middle ground shows reason.
Thanks for your comments Robert – I think talking about the situation and listening to the opinions of everyone who works in our industry is a great place to start.
I’m also interested to know what the bias towards women is that you’re referring to. Do you feel there’s a bias at the university level or in the workplace? To be fair, I’ve lived and worked in a world that’s heavily biased towards men, so if it is occurring maybe it might go towards evening out the last few hundred years.
I don’t think anyone would disagree though that we’d all benefit from an industry where everyone had access to the same opportunities and diversity was valued.
It’s a great topic for further discussion!
I am sure you realize there is a bias towards people of ‘minority/’victim’ groups’ rather than employing people based on talent. This is no better seen than in the USA with Democratic policies and corporates like Disney. I doubt this actually happens in the veterinary Industry here now, as we would all employ just about anybody with a viable vet registration such is the shortage. Does it happen at university entrance??? I have no idea. All I would say is that the industry seemed best/well balanced to me, when the people qualifying was about 50:50 but now? When my nephew qualified he was only one of two males vets in a class of 90+ That cant be a good thing.
As for “evening out the last few hundred years” ??? If you are seeing this female bias as ‘payback’ or ‘eternal reparations’ then we are truly in trouble. I’m more concerned about NOW and the perilous state the industry is in.
We as a profession have such an opportunity to lead the world in showing how we can manage a profession filled with people who are totally devoted to it and have the fantastic emotional intelligence and empathy to be the best veterinarians we have ever seen.
The complexities of being a vet these days are incredible. The changes in technology, equipment, clients, patients, and expectations are mind-blowing.
We cannot afford to drop any standards in any area.
I take my hat off to those who wish to work hard, be dedicated, save animals and prevent disease. To those who have an impact on the food availability and quality worldwide and do the research to save all lives. Our veterinary degree is an amazing degree and is needed worldwide, and I support anyone who takes on the challenge.
Totally 10000% agree