Women working with animals in Ireland: why practical workwear matters
Women have always been central to Irish agriculture and animal care. What is changing is how visible that work is, how it is recognised, and how everyday working conditions are supported across farms, clinics, labs and inspection settings.
This article draws on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Women in Agriculture publication , and looks beyond policy to the practical realities faced by women working with animals across Ireland.
Progress is shaped by policy, but lived day-to-day through working conditions.
Introduction: women, animals and everyday work realities
Women play a growing and increasingly visible role across agriculture, veterinary medicine, animal care, food production and related scientific professions in Ireland.
These roles are hands-on by nature. They involve long hours, physical work, responsibility for animal welfare and constant movement between tasks and environments.
While reports and initiatives rightly focus on representation, training and leadership, daily working conditions often receive less attention. Clothing, comfort and practicality may seem minor, but they directly affect energy levels, focus and wellbeing.
Workwear is one of those overlooked factors. Yet for women working with animals, it is part of the job every single day.
What the data tells us about women in agriculture
According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, women represent a significant proportion of Ireland’s agricultural workforce and contribute across farming, animal health, food safety and rural enterprise.
However, the data also highlights persistent gaps:
- Women remain under-represented as registered farm holders
- Much of their work occurs outside formal titles or ownership structures
- Visibility does not always match contribution
These insights matter because they reveal the difference between participation and recognition. They also help frame why practical support, including suitable workwear, is part of the wider picture.
Contribution does not always come with visibility. Data helps close that gap.
From farming to veterinary and animal care roles
Modern agriculture extends far beyond the farm gate. Women working with animals today are found across:
- Farms and livestock operations
- Veterinary clinics and hospitals
- Animal welfare and rescue organisations
- Grooming, boarding and companion animal care
While the settings differ, the physical demands are often similar. Lifting, bending, standing for long periods and moving quickly between tasks are part of everyday work.
Veterinary surgeons and vet nurses, for example, sit at the intersection of agriculture and healthcare. This is why veterinary scrubs have become standard across both farm and clinic environments.
Long days and physically demanding work
Women working with animals often face:
- Extended shifts with limited downtime
- Repetitive physical movements
- Exposure to changing temperatures
- Transitions between indoor and outdoor work
Over time, these conditions place real strain on the body. Clothing that restricts movement, traps heat or requires constant adjustment adds unnecessary fatigue.
What people wear during a ten or twelve-hour day matters more than it might appear on paper.
Why workwear plays a real role on the job
Good workwear supports the person wearing it. For animal-focused professions, this means:
- Comfort that lasts through long shifts
- Breathable fabrics that help regulate body temperature
- Stretch and fit that allow unrestricted movement
- Easy-care garments that simplify life outside work
When clothing works with the body rather than against it, it reduces distraction and helps professionals stay focused on the task in front of them.
Scrubs as practical workwear beyond healthcare
Medical scrubs are no longer confined to hospital wards. They are now widely used in veterinary, laboratory, research and inspection roles.
For women working with animals, scrubs offer a balance of durability, comfort and practicality that traditional uniforms often lack.
This is why professionals across Ireland increasingly choose medical scrubs for roles connected to agriculture, animal health and public safety.
Designed for real working conditions
Workwear should adapt to the realities of the job, not the other way around.
Small design details make a difference over time: flexible waistbands, breathable fabrics, practical pockets and durable materials built for repeated washing.
For teams, consistent uniforms also reinforce professionalism and identity, particularly in client-facing or inspection-based roles.
Good uniforms don’t create expertise, but they support the professionals who already have it.
Supporting women through everyday solutions
Improving visibility, leadership and equality for women in agriculture is essential. But everyday working conditions also deserve attention.
Supporting women working with animals means recognising the physical reality of their work and responding with practical solutions.
Thoughtful workwear is one small but meaningful part of improving daily working life across agriculture, veterinary care and animal health professions.
Medical scrubs for animal and agriculture-linked professions
At Happythreads, we supply medical scrubs for a wide range of roles connected to animal care and agricultural systems, including:
- Veterinary professionals
- Laboratory and research teams
- Healthcare and community care staff
- Dental professionals
- Students in veterinary, medical and science fields
Our scrubs are designed for repeated washing, long shifts and environments where practicality matters, without sacrificing a professional appearance.
Explore medical scrubs for your profession
FAQ
Are medical scrubs suitable outside hospitals?
Yes. Scrubs are widely used in veterinary, laboratory, dental, research and inspection roles where hygiene, comfort and professional appearance are essential.
Why are scrubs practical for animal and agriculture-linked roles?
They are durable, easy to clean, comfortable and well suited to long days involving movement, hygiene requirements and physical work.
Can teams order scrubs in bulk?
Yes. Happythreads supports group orders, consistent colour selection and optional embroidery for teams across veterinary, research and healthcare environments.