From Medical to Veterinary Humanities

This introductory chapter will offer some observations on the trajectory of development of veterinary humanities as an academic field of enquiry. Historically, the evolution of the veterinary field has tended to follow where human medicine has led. Consequently, the chapter opens with a brief history of medical humanities in the UK, and what influence it has had on veterinary humanities (defined broadly, as incorporating arts, humanities and social science disciplines). Building on recent commentaries, the author’s personal insights, and with reference to wider contextual developments and the functions of medical humanities, it then offers some thoughts on how veterinary humanities may evolve in future.