Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Collaboration to enhance global veterinary wellness
"Positive mental wellbeing is critical for the future of our profession" - Dr Iveta Becvarova.

WSAVA's PWG and Hill's Pet Nutrition to develop tools that will combat anxiety. 

Hill's Pet Nutrition and The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's Professional Wellness Group (PWG) have joined forces in a bid to enhance global veterinary wellbeing.

The collaboration comes in response to research by the PWG into veterinary wellness, which revealed that diminished wellbeing and stress are concerns for veterinary teams around the world.

It will see the PWG and Hill's working together to raise awareness of the issue, and create the tools and resources necessary to combat feelings of anxiety and depression.

As a long-standing industry and Gold partner of the WSAVA, Hill's Pet Nutrition said its partnership with the PWG is part of its continued commitment to support the veterinary profession globally.

Dr Iveta Becvarova, ‎director of Global Academic and Professional Affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition, commented: “Positive mental wellbeing is critical for the future of our profession. At Hill’s we are eager to support the WSAVA’s PWG in its mission and to help it develop tools that can combat anxiety and depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts.”

The PWG aims to support the health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals by raising awareness and creating the tools and resources necessary to support veterinary teams. Led by Utrecht University's Dr Nienke Endenburgh, the PWG also supports vets in countries who do not readily have access to help and advice.

As a long-standing industry and Gold partner of the WSAVA, Hill's Pet Nutrition also supports the veterinary team through the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. This is an initiative that helps the veterinary team and pet owners understand the importance of nutrition in companion animal health and welfare.

Dr Shane Ryan, WSAVA President, said: “Hill’s has been a staunch supporter of the WSAVA for many years and is one of our most important industry partners.

“We are delighted that the company will continue as our Gold Partner and are particularly happy that it has chosen to support the important work of the PWG. The interim findings of the PWG’s global survey into veterinary wellness, launched during WSAVA World Congress 2019 in Toronto, confirmed that stress and diminished well-being are concerns for all members of the veterinary team and in all areas of the world."

He continued: "This already serious problem is likely to be exacerbated by the additional pressures many of our members are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an issue the PWG is already addressing with Hill’s support as a key focus for its work this year.”

Image (C) WSAVA.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.