Every year on the second Sunday of August, Ukrainian veterinarians, as well as everyone involved in this field, celebrate their professional holiday — « Veterinary Medicine Workers' Day » ( Ukrainian. Day of the Pratsivniki of Veterinary Medicine ).
The status of the official national holiday was received in 2001, when the second president of Ukraine signed the corresponding Decree № 1035/2001.
According to the official wording, a new professional holiday in Ukraine was introduced to mark « the significant contribution of veterinary medicine workers to the provision of veterinary well-being, veterinary and sanitary safety of livestock products and environmental protection ».
In addition, on this day, they traditionally recall the famous expression: « Medicine treats a person, and veterinary medicine protects humanity », and this is no coincidence: it is thanks to the work of veterinarians that it is possible to prevent epidemics among livestock, which otherwise could lead to the most severe consequences of — up to large-scale hunger and the spread of dangerous diseases among people.
Already traditionally on the Day of the Veterinary Medicine Worker, the country's leadership congratulates industry representatives on their professional holiday. The most distinguished of them are awarded with diplomas and thanks, and as a reward they receive prizes and souvenirs.
In addition to a professional holiday of national scale, veterinarians of Ukraine can also celebrate International Veterinary Doctor's Day, which is celebrated at the end of April.