Throughout history, the bond between humans and animals has been evident.
From ancient animal healing traditions to modern day medicine, Heal the Beasts looks at how humans have strived to do the best they can for animals in their care.

When I saw this on NetGalley, I did initially wonder whether the content may be heavy on the technical side and targeted more at people with medical knowledge, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it is aimed at a much wider audience. A lot of surprising information is presented here. For example, I did not know about Freud’s connection to eels or the existence of Bald’s Leechbook in 9th century Anglo-Saxon England.

Schott writes in a very easy-going manner, with tongue sometimes firmly in cheek! While the focus is on veterinary treatment, you also discover how people viewed the world throughout history and their changing beliefs, especially those connected to magic and superstition. The idea about elf-shot and some of the practices that were carried out are just mind boggling in today’s world of advanced medicine.

Overall, I found it fascinating and really hope that the use of the word veterinary won’t discourage people from reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I never thought I'd be so engrossed in a little nonfiction book about the history of veterinary medicine, but this one caught my attention and held it! The story-esque introductions to each chapter set up the information in a fun and easy-to-digest way, while the rest of the chapter provided information that was not too technical for this layperson to follow and understand.

Schott has such an engaging writing style and presents information in such a good way for your everyday reader. That being said, this is a great educational book too, and I could definitely see it used in introductory animal science courses and hope professors and the like see that potential as well!

Publication date: July 8, 2025

What a lovely surprise this book is! I was expecting a dry text book about the development of animal medicine, but found instead a delightful 'jaunt' through animal and human history.

Each chapter starts with a little story based on historical evidence, about how humans treated animals. Starting from prehistory and using paintings, archaeological and written evidence, the history moves chronologically to the modern day veterinary surgeons. Referred to originally as an art, the examples move through scenarios including constipated elephants to gorilla specialists and tries to explain why women now outnumber men as vets.

The introductory stories are a joy to read and the early ones reminded me of fables. Full of information, anecdotes, beliefs as well as practicalities, the book doesn't rely on inaccessible science or medical terms, making it something anyone can easily read and indulge in. It is organised well, engaging with plenty of wit and insight to fascinating and bizarre ideas about medicine.

​Recommended to anyone who has the slightest interest in animals, history or quirky books. Will make a stunning gift. Love this.