2024 AVA President’s Award: Dr Alicia Kennedy

^{Image: Immediate Past President Dr Diana Barker and Dr Alicia Kennedy, AVA Awards Gala Dinner 2024 (credit: GAZiPHOTO)}

At her core, Dr Alicia Kennedy is a human-animal vet. Put her in a consultation room with a pet and their person, and she’s home.

It only took one or two cases to help her realise she couldn’t look past the need to treat the patient, while also considering the health of the human looking after them.

It was there she noticed there was a lack of support for vulnerable people and their animals. She observed and witnessed some of the challenges vulnerable people experienced to keep their pets healthy, particularly when it came to older clients.

“I saw that as life was going through its phases, older people were losing their capacity to look after their pets but it wasn’t through a lack of love, but through a lack of capacity,” Dr Kennedy said.

“I posed the question; what do we need to do as a community, to support pets of our elderly neighbours?”

That formed the foundation of Cherished Pets, which involves the emerging field of veterinary social work.

“Cherished Pets' model of care is designed to support pets across diverse communities, creating a sustainable service that cares for both animals and the people who cherish them,” she said.

“Imagine a world without the human-animal bond. Vets play a crucial role in fostering this bond, and working in silos doesn’t serve us all.”

^{Image: Dr Alicia Kennedy (supplied)}

Dr Kennedy’s outstanding contribution to veterinary care was recognised at the 2024 AVA Awards, receiving the President’s Award.

“I felt really grateful and honoured to be recognised by the AVA and the AVA President,” Dr Kennedy said.

“This award, along with the AVA Veterinary Business Thought Leader Award I received in 2023, has truly amplified our voice in the community and strengthened our credibility. It enhances the story of what we’re trying to do and tackle every day, helping others understand the meaningful impact of our work.”

This time next year Dr Kennedy will be undertaking a study tour overseas through the Churchill Fellowship, where she will be looking at other organisations that are operating at this intersection of veterinary and social services.

“Our veterinary social workers are at the heart of our services. They focus on four key areas: supporting individuals with assistance or companion animals, addressing the link between pets and domestic violence or crisis care, providing bereavement support for both clients and staff, and helping vets manage compassion fatigue and burnout.”

As this approach to care becomes increasingly acknowledged and studied across the world, International Human-Animal Bond Day on 8 November looks to celebrate and educate about the connection.  Dr Kennedy says she will continue to champion discussions that highlight the significance of the human-animal bond and its far-reaching impact.

“My vision is that the human-animal bond is valued, recognised and supported at a societal level, not just within the vet industry, for the vital role it plays in keeping people healthy, connected, and creating thriving communities."