Pranav Kumar
Anna Singh
Maninder Singh
Ravneet Kour#
Never believe that animals suffer less than humans. Pain is the same for them that it is for us. Even worse, because they cannot help themselves.'- Louis J. Camuti
World Veterinary Day is celebrated on the last Saturday in April annually, with an aim to raise awareness about veterinarians and their utmost devotion to animal health, welfare, and public health. This event is observed to honour and recognise the tireless efforts and perseverance to protect the health and safety of both animals and the populace. Each year, a different theme is chosen which helps pet owners to remember the importance of various aspects of animal care, and how vets can help, for example ensuring your pet's vaccinations are up to date. This year's theme for World Veterinary Day 2023 is “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession”.
World veterinary Association established in the year 1959, with the mission of focusing on animal health and welfare, for the first time conceived the idea of World Veterinary day in 2001. Since then, it has been observed every year on the last Saturday of April. This day celebrates efforts from veterinarians, veterinary associations and others to advocate for fairness and equity. The day is observed to mark the importance of veterinary doctors in the society who serve to protect animals and care for the concept of One Health. Veterinarians work on improving animal lives and thus human lives. The 2023 World Veterinary Day is being celebrated with the theme of ‘Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DEI) in the Veterinary Profession'. Removing barriers and improving inclusiveness through diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices in a diverse world needs a special focus as it enhances the well-being of all veterinarians. Embracing the differences means respecting and recognising everyone, feeling safe, heard, and valued no matter the age, class, ethnicity, gender, health, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, religion, physical size, education level, job level and function, personality traits, or other differences. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plays a significant role in ensuring that optima, equitable and fair care is provided to all animals, their owners, and the staff. This not only enhances the industry's ability to provide quality care, but it also ensures animals are not neglected or mistreated because of their owner's background. The well-being of all veterinarians is enhanced when diversity, equity, and inclusion are promoted and applied.
Preventing disease and healing animals is at the heart of what veterinarians do, but they also do so much more. Veterinarians are the only doctors educated to protect the health of both animals and people. They work hard to address the health and welfare needs of every species of animal. The health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the surrounding environment are closely linked and interdependent. Veterinarian play critical roles in animal and human health and welfare, food security, food quality and safety, ecology, drugs and pharmaceuticals development, biomedical research, rural development, as educators, trainers, and policymakers, economic development through livestock production and management and in wildlife conservation, and the protection of the environment and biodiversity, safeguarding our country by preventing the threat of bio terrorism and makes the world a better, healthier place. World Veterinary Day is the day to celebrate and recognise this diverse role of Veterinarians. World Veterinary Day is celebrated on a global level each year. The Day unites the global veterinary community and spreads awareness about the profession and its challenges.
*Assistant Professor, #Research Scholars, Division of Veterinary Extension Education, F,V.Sc & A.H. SKUAST-Jammu
