Animal Health Takes a Team: Celebrating World Veterinary Day 2025

This Saturday 26 April, the AVA is proudly joining the global veterinary community in celebrating World Veterinary Day 2025. This year’s theme, “Animal Health Takes a Team,” highlights the diverse, dedicated teams who work together every day to protect animal, human, and environmental health. 

Veterinarians across Australia work in critical roles – from clinical practice and government service to research, education, production animal health and emergency response. While their responsibilities may vary, one thing remains constant: the need for teamwork to deliver the best outcomes for animals and communities. 

AVA President Dr Sally Colgan is encouraging veterinarians to join the AVA’s celebrations by sharing photos and stories that spotlight the teams behind animal health. 

“This World Veterinary Day, we’re celebrating all the teams behind animal health – veterinarians, vet nurses, researchers, producers, and policymakers – working together to keep Australia safe and thriving,” Dr Colgan said. 

“Whether it’s a clinic team treating companion animals, a field team managing disease outbreaks, or scientists tracking emerging threats, each plays a critical role in safeguarding animal and public health and welfare,” she said. 

Recognising that the strength of Australia’s veterinary profession lies in the collaboration between individuals with diverse skills and perspectives, the AVA invited several members to share what “Animal Health Takes a Team” means to them. 

For regional clinic owner Dr Tom Loughnan, collaboration between the clinic team and farmers/pet owners for ongoing patient health and prevention is what they strive for. 

“Animal health requires a team of individuals to improve the health of patients, but we know that animal health is optimised when a team and the owner/farmer work together for the best outcomes of patients. This takes collaboration between vets, nurses and the reception team to provide comprehensive and professional care in clinic alongside clear and consistent guidance to the client so they can continue with quality care in the home or farm environment.” 

Academic Dr Susan Beths is an ardent believer in the concept that animal health takes a team. “It means that we acknowledge that all parties; vets, nurses, receptionists, kennel, stable, or farm hands, clients, etc., all work together to ensure that the health and welfare of our patients is optimised and maintained. 

“Students see vets, ranging from new graduates to specialists and seasoned academics, nurses, technicians, receptionists and animal carers looking after animal health and student education. Students see the benefits of veterinarians out in practice and the full range of people involved in animal care supporting and teaching them how to look after animal health. Students see nonclinical veterinarians working in research, expanding our knowledge and the care we can provide all animals. Students see clients searching for and supporting the health and welfare of the animals they own or care for.” 

Researcher and philanthropist Dr Mark Kelman acknowledges teamwork as one of the biggest contributors to his research and volunteering achievements.  

“I am so deeply grateful to the amazing people who have been willing to put in the effort to join me in this journey. None of the scientific papers that I have been fortunate to publish (as author or co-author) would have been possible without the help of my peers, and none of the charity work would have been possible without all the great people who were willing to put in the time and effort to join the cause.” 

For Dr Becky Dickinson, her love of connecting and working with others has led to enormous job satisfaction and success, which she is now sharing with the next generation of veterinarians. 

“I sometimes joke with graduates that 90% of being an excellent vet is your ability to communicate well with a wide range of people.  

“Successfully securing a state government grant to deliver livestock graduate support across Victoria is one massive example of essential teamwork. Connecting and communicating widely with veterinary, agriculture, education, industry and government networks was paramount to prepare and deliver this successful proposal and the networks built and sustained across my career facilitated this. This is team work at the highest and broadest level!” 

Join the celebration 
Join the AVA in celebrating World Veterinary Day by sharing your stories, photos and thanks on social media. Tag @AustVetAssoc and use #WorldVetDay and #SpotlightTheVetTeam to spotlight the teams behind animal health.