Royal Army Veterinary Corps
The
Royal Army Veterinary Corps (
RAVC) is an administrative and operational branch of the
British Army responsible for the provision, training and care of animals. Unusually, although it is responsible for providing what might be termed material, it is under the control of the
Adjutant-General, who is in charge of personnel.
The RAVC provides mainly dogs and horses, but also tends to the various regimental mascots in the army.
The original
Army Veterinary Service was founded in
1796 by public outrage concerning the death of Army horses.
John Shipp was the first
veterinary surgeon to be commissioned into the British Army when he joined the
11th Light Dragoons on
25 June 1796. This date is recognised as RAVC's foundation day (aka John Shipp Day).
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RAVC website includion
history*
Regiments.org information
