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Each year, World Veterinary Day reminds us of the vital but often invisible role veterinarians play in protecting not only animal health, but also human wellbeing, livelihoods, and food security.
This year’s theme, “Animal Health Takes a Team”, sheds light on a profound truth: animal care is not a singular affair It is a coordinated effort built on trust, science, and collaboration across disciplines.
Veterinarians are frequently seen through a narrow lens, as the “animal doctors” who step in when things go wrong. But in truth, they are much more. They are epidemiologists, researchers, public health defenders, educators, and architects of sustainable food systems. In wildlife reserves, they conserve biodiversity. In urban centers, they ensure companion animals thrive. And in agriculture, they play a crucial role in shaping safer, healthier, and more productive livestock systems. The stakes are high.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), 60% of known human infectious diseases are zoonotic, and 75% of emerging pathogens originate from animals. These figures are not just statistics, they are a call to action. From managing outbreaks like Rift Valley fever to monitoring antimicrobial resistance, veterinarians are on the frontlines of preventing global health crises.
In Kenya, livestock sits at the heart of food systems and rural livelihoods. Over 60% of rural households depend on livestock, with poultry farming playing a crucial role in both nutrition and income generation. But healthy flocks don’t just happen. They are the result of an intricate dance involving farmers, technical teams, veterinary professionals, researchers, and regulators.
More than problem-solvers, veterinarians are proactive partners, facilitating sustainable practices, ensuring compliance with welfare and food safety standards, and providing the link between scientific innovation and real-world farming challenges. Their work underpins public health and consumer confidence in the food we eat.
A holistic, team-based approach to animal health is essential across every sector and in the poultry industry, Kenchic exemplifies this model in action. Veterinarians are not seen merely as caregivers, but as vital partners involved at every stage of the value chain. From hatchery to post-production, their expertise is integrated alongside farmers, technical teams, and both local and global institutions to embed animal health into every layer of production.
This collaboration ensures healthier flocks, better livelihoods for farmers, and safer food systems for consumers. Since their input begins long before a chick hatches, shaping decisions on biosecurity, nutrition, vaccination, and housing prevents disease and reduces antibiotic use. According to the Kenya Veterinary Association, such veterinary interventions can lower animal mortality by up to 40% and increase farm productivity by over 30%, clear evidence of the power of prevention and teamwork.
To truly honor the profession, we must also invest in its future, supporting veterinary education, strengthening animal health policies, and ensuring that vets have the resources and recognition they need. This isn’t just about caring for animals; it’s about protecting livelihoods, preventing pandemics, and feeding nations. As we mark World Veterinary Day, let’s move beyond token appreciation and embrace a fundamental truth, there is no health without animal health and no animal health without a team.
