VETERINARY MEDICINE CAUCUS LEADING THE WAY FOR ANIMAL HEALTH VISIBILITY IN CONGRESS

VETERINARY MEDICINE CAUCUS LEADING THE WAY FOR ANIMAL HEALTH VISIBILITY IN CONGRESS

The Veterinary Medicine Caucus is bringing awareness to the many roles veterinary medicine plays in public health. The House of Representatives bipartisan member organization is now in its fifth congressional cycle, bringing vital information to policy makers on veterinary medicine and how it relates to public health.

COVID-19 has demonstrated the close relationship between animal health and public health, which can directly affect the safety of society. Zoonotic diseases (infectious diseases that are transmittable between species, from animals to humans, or from humans to animals) became a visible threat to the public during the pandemic. As recognized by the CDC, “a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19”. The caucus can provide integral research and details to keep members informed about the ongoing challenges we face with zoonotic diseases and public health.

The Veterinary Medicine Caucus is led by founding member Kurt Schrader, DVM (Oregon), the sole veterinarian in Congress. Other committee members come from of a variety of high profile backgrounds in the veterinary industry, such as agriculture and livestock. In the past, the caucus has introduced several legislations impacting veterinary medicine, such as the VET MED Act, which aims to provide interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers serving in a veterinary internship or residency program.

Moving forward, the caucus will continue to work with national and local veterinary associations and groups to establish the importance of veterinary initiatives in Washington, D.C. With increased visibility and perspective from veterinarians, Congress will be continuously educated on issues critical to the profession and raise awareness of the holistic value of veterinary medicine

Sources: 

https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/one-health-central-to-veterinary-medicine-caucus/?en_click=1&utm_campaign=2021-03-09&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=feature&max=170808251748542360015C

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/animal/zoo/index.html#:~:text=A%20zoonosis%20(zoonotic%20disease%20or,or%20from%20humans%20to%20animals).

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html#:~:text=in%20some%20situations.-,A%20small%20number%20of%20pets%20worldwide%2C%20including%20cats%20and%20dogs,might%20not%20have%20any%20symptoms

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hannah Keeling

Hannah Keeling has a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado. She is the Marketing Assistant at AIV.

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Animal Surgery Center of Michigan


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