The Role of Veterinarians in the World

Veterinary medicine is a highly respected and compassionate profession. However, the veterinarian’s contributions are largely unappreciated because our colleagues have been so busy serving the public to broadcast the veterinarians’ contributions and global potential. Therefore this lack of appreciation is self imposed. Veterinarians fail to communicate to one another or to publicly display their broad knowledge, skills and the many contributions that their profession makes to society, and to the world at large.

We must also accept the rationale that global tranquility requires emotional harmony and full stomachs. Companion and draft animals provide the harmonious relationships, and livestock and poultry provide the protein to prevent starvation.

Veterinary medicine activates the tranquility components of world peace by supporting the human-animal bonding and companion and draft animal health and welfare; by combating emerging, exotic, and foodborne diseases; and by promulgating livestock and poultry health and food safety. These functions are best performed when there is communication, coordination, and cooperation among the multiple people, organizations, agencies, educators and industries that employ and train veterinarians to address the needs of their countries.