The Veterinary Corps: Caring and Curing

The W.S. Army Veterinary Corps came of age during World War 1, finally gaining its own command structure and status within the army.

In this section we will explore the Veterinary Corps itself, and the Injuries and Diseases that plagued our animals, including Poison Gas. Learn about the Hospitals where they were cared for in disease and operated on for wounds, and what kinds of Medicines and Supplies the veterinarians used. As well, we will look at how unprepared the army was to care for its animals, and how the French finally forced changes by cutting off the supply of animals it had agreed to sell to the U.S. Learn too about the unique work done by civilian humane organizations such as Blue Cross and Red Star, and how World War 1 led to the founding of the world's largest equine humane organization, the Brooke family of charities, of which Brooke USA, sponsor of this page, is a part.