Veterinarians have a significant impact on animal welfare

At the University of Copenhagen sixty veterinary students from around the world discussed how the concept of One Health can contribute to improving animal welfare globally.

Animal welfare and sustainability were the central topics of discussion during the recently held workshop "A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming" The workshop, which took place at the University of Copenhagen during the congress for international veterinary students, was organized by the Danish branch of the international veterinary organization, VetSalus.

The overall theme of the workshop was the complex interplay between climate change, agriculture, food production, and animal welfare, which can be encompassed under the concept that VetSalus calls One Health. In front of an audience of 60 veterinary students divided into two workshops, VetSalus shared knowledge and experiences gathered from various continents.

-We explored the challenges created by climate change and agriculture, delving into issues surrounding food production and animal welfare, and we aimed to find innovative solutions to these problems, said Rune Friis Kristensen, Executive Officer at VetSalus.

According to VetSalus, the veterinary industry is undergoing significant changes due to consumer demands for ethical and sustainable food production, alongside an increasing call to reduce the use of antimicrobial agents.

Veterinarians are continually adapting to a world where their roles often change, and there is a growing trend towards vegetarianism and veganism, which also has consequences for animal welfare. This development creates global opportunities for veterinarians to play a crucial role in One Health initiatives. According to Rune Friis Kristensen, veterinarians can support sustainable food production through organizations like VetSalus. Therefore, VetSalus wants to reach out to the young generation of veterinary students.

-It's very much in VetSalus' spirit to go out and activate veterinarians. At VetSalus, we want to reach out to young veterinarians because they are important for the future, explained Rune Friis Kristensen.

This mission seems to have succeeded for VetSalus with the workshop at the University of Copenhagen.

 

The Importance of reaching out

One of the international veterinary students who participated in the workshop is Marta Masserdotti, a student in the Italian branch of IVSA (International Veterinary Students Association). For her, it was an educational experience to participate in the workshop.

-I am intensely interested in One Health, and our role as veterinarians in promoting this approach is central. We must learn and spread awareness about it, given the reality we live in right now. It's significant that companies are reaching out to young people. It contributes to the idea that businesses are taking accountability for their impact, explained Marta Masserdotti.

One of the important elements of the One Health paradigm at VetSalus is that humanity must take responsibility for our world because humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected. And at VetSalus' Danish workshop, it became clear to Marta Masserdotti that One Health is about reaching out, and she gladly accepts the invitation to collaborate widely.

-I've learned over the past year that, for example, if you think about health students, we are all at different stages when it comes to One Health. Depending on the course we're enrolled in, or the geographical area we come from, our approach to this topic is different, and consequently, our knowledge of the theme. That's why we must keep learning and exchanging visions about it, Marta Masserdotti shared.

 

Different Perspectives 

One Health is a complex concept with many different angles and mechanisms that various branches can have an influence on. Therefore, Marta Masserdotti is pleased to have experienced a conference and workshop with people from various national backgrounds.

-People from all over the world have gathered here, so there are many different perspectives. I have my way of advocating for One Health, so talking to people from other nations has been enlightening. And if we focus on the workshop, they presented us with a lot of exciting sources, said Marta Masserdotti.

VetSalus is also satisfied with the response to the workshop. Rune Friis Kristensen believes the veterinary students have gained a lot of knowledge from the One Health workshop.

-I think they realized the significant impact veterinarians can have. And we've also received more inquiries from veterinary students who want to engage in local collaborations, Rune Friis Kristensen shared.