National Zoological Park (U.S.). Dept. of Animal Health.

Veterinary medicine was recognized as an official administrative unit of the National Zoological Park in 1969, when the Animal Health Department was established. Prior to 1969, most animal medical functions were performed by outside veterinarians. The NZP had one full-time veterinarian on staff from the early 1940s to about 1969. The name of the Department changed to the Division of Animal Health under the Department of Zoological Programs in 1971; the Office of Animal Health and Pathology around 1974 to 1976; the Office of Animal Health in 1976; and the Department of Animal Health, which it retains to the present, in 1980.

The Department of Animal Health provides veterinary support for the animal collections at Rock Creek Park and the Conservation and Research Center at Front Royal, Virginia. These duties include treatment and disease investigation. Clinical staff also conducts research, technique development, postgraduate training, and extensive publishing.

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