National Volunteer Week 2025: The Why

National Volunteer Week 2025 (19–25 May) is a time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the unwavering passion and profound impact of those who volunteer for the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and the wider veterinary profession. This week, the AVA is celebrating these contributions, while also highlighting the mental health benefits that come from offering your time and expertise. 

This year’s theme, ‘Connecting Communities’, aptly captures the spirit of volunteering. It recognises the powerful role volunteers play in building bridges, fostering trust, and creating meaningful relationships within and beyond the veterinary field. 

AVA Executive Officer for Wellness, Dr Rebecca Faris, explains: “Through service, relationships grow stronger, trust is built and meaningful connections are created through a foundation of shared values.” 

These connections don’t just benefit those being helped, they also enrich the lives of volunteers themselves, providing a sense of belonging and purpose. 

Dr Faris emphasises the mental health benefits of volunteering, noting its alignment with the PERMA wellbeing framework developed by positive psychology founder Martin Seligman. 

“We know that having a high sense of meaning and purpose is really important to our wellbeing. It’s the M pillar in the PERMA wellbeing framework described by founder of positive psychology, Dr Martin Seligman,” Dr Faris said. 

“It’s about knowing that we're contributing to something bigger than ourselves. Since ancient times, doing good has been shown to be good for our wellbeing. 

“That’s why the AVA’s excited about an upcoming THRIVE webinar ‘Giving Back to Give More’ on 5 August, featuring Bill and Alison Taylor from the Vet Mob, Indigenous Dog Health Program and sponsored by Westpac. Members will hear firsthand how giving back not only benefits those we serve but also enriches our own professional and personal lives. Save this date for this one, it’s going to be powerful.” 

She also points to research confirming the positive impact of volunteering on both mental and physical health. 

"A 2013 study showed that volunteering was connected to lower rates of depression, higher reports of wellbeing, and a significant reduction in mortality risk,” she said. 

Volunteering runs through the veins of AVA member Dr Lachlan Campbell. He has dedicated years to volunteering roles, including as Vice President and Board Member with Pets in The Park, a Member of the Board of Trustees with NOWZAD (a charity that delivers animal welfare in Afghanistan and Ukraine), a Volunteer Veterinarian and AVERT (Australian Veterinary Emergency Response Team) volunteer with Vets Beyond Borders, and as an AVA Education Advisory Committee Member. 

He believes volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community in ways he otherwise never would have experienced. 

“Through initiatives like Pets in the Park, I'm able to offer essential care to the animals of people experiencing homelessness. This not only helps the pets but also provides a point of connection and support for their owners, who often face significant social isolation. 

 ^{Dr Lachlan Campbell volunteering with Vets Beyond Borders: Supplied}

“Secondly, the hands-on work through Vets Beyond Borders allows us to interact directly with pet owners and experience their lives and the importance of their animals firsthand. 

“Thirdly, my international volunteering in places like Ukraine and Afghanistan, while in different contexts, still connects me with communities facing immense hardship. By providing veterinary care and training local vets, I'm contributing to the well-being of their animals, which are often vital for livelihoods and emotional support in challenging circumstances.  

“Finally, even my involvement with the AVA's Education Advisory Committee and supporting future vets is a way of giving back to and strengthening the veterinary community, which ultimately serves the wider animal-loving community. It's all interconnected – helping animals, supporting their owners, and contributing to a more capable and compassionate veterinary profession.” 

Dr Campbell’s commitment to volunteering was deeply influenced by global events. 

“What keeps me volunteering now is the simple fact that I have skills that can make a tangible difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them, especially when they're facing really tough situations. It's about practical help and seeing the positive results firsthand. That direct impact is what motivates me.” 

For Dr Campbell, volunteering has brought many deeply rewarding moments. One stands out above the rest. 

“There have been many deeply rewarding moments. However, if I had to pick one, it would be the rescue of the abandoned Rottweiler in Irpin, Ukraine. Finding him trapped and emaciated in the ruins, witnessing his fear turn to relief as he realized we were there to help, and then seeing him start on the road to recovery was incredibly powerful. It was a stark reminder of the innocent lives caught in the conflict and the direct impact we could have by simply showing up and using our skills. That feeling of making a tangible difference in such a desperate situation is something I'll never forget.” 

^{Dr Campbell pictured during his international volunteering: Supplied}

The AVA offers its sincere gratitude to its volunteers and encourages everyone in the profession to consider the many ways they can contribute. Whether through local initiatives or international outreach, every act of service helps to build stronger communities, and a healthier, more resilient veterinary profession.