The Unlikely Pioneers: Early Dog Doctors in Britain

This: in the 1700s, when medical care for humans was still quite basic, there were people in Britain dedicated to treating dogs! These were the dog doctors, and they didn't have any official healthcare training. The most famous of them was John Norborn, who wasn't ashamed to call himself a 'dog doctor' even though others looked down on it. Now, you might be thinking, why would someone care so much about dogs' health back then? Well, dogs were important in those days. They were used for hunting, guarding homes, and even keeping rats away. So, it makes sense that people would want to take care of them. Norborn wasn't the only one. There were lots of these dog doctors around, and they had a whole marketplace for their services. This is really surprising because we usually think that veterinary care for pets is a modern thing. But no, it started way back in the 1700s! It's interesting to think about how these dog doctors worked. They didn't go to school to learn how to treat animals. They probably just observed the animals, tried different treatments, and learned from their mistakes. It's like they were the first veterinarians, even though they didn't have a fancy title. So, next time you take your dog to the vet, remember that it's actually a pretty old tradition! And it all started with some dedicated folks in 18th-century Britain who loved dogs as much as we do today.