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Animal Health Week 2022 — October 2 to 8 Habitat Protection and Pandemic Prevention
August 30, 2022
Animal Health Week (AHW) is an annual national public awareness campaign organized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and hosted by veterinarians across Canada. Each year, through AHW, the veterinary community draws attention to an important health-related message.
From October 2 to 8, 2022, the CVMA is celebrating its 37th annual Animal Health Week campaign by raising awareness about how disruption of animal habitats in various forms, from forests to farms, can impact ecosystem health and affect global human health through this year’s theme, Habitat Protection and Pandemic Prevention.
Canada’s veterinary professionals occupy unique positions within the national One Health community and can help educate clients about how protecting animals’ health and habitats, protects everyone’s health.
The CVMA aims to use this year’s complex topic to educate the public about the correlation between the effects of nature, wildlife, and infectious diseases. Infectious diseases inherently affect animal human health, agriculture, and the environment, known as One Health. Disease-causing microbes often have a close relationship between reservoirs in the environment, animals, and people. Continuous human invasion into what were once remote regions exposes us to previously isolated viruses, parasites, and bacteria. The most recent global public health and economic devastation, COVID-19, greatly exemplifies the notion of minimizing the risk of another zoonotic pandemic.
We hope you will help us share this message by displaying the free Animal Health Week posters, which were included with the July issue of The Canadian Veterinary Journal and a mailing sent to every veterinary practice nationwide last month. Educational tools, including a social media campaign, articles, and other resources are also available to promote Animal Health Week to clients and can be found on the AHW page of the Practice Tools section under the Veterinary Resources tab of the CVMA website (www.canadianveterinarians.net). Please share the prewritten social media posts, with accompanying images, on your practice’s social media accounts to help us educate the public on the important topic of Habitat Protection and Pandemic Prevention.
2022 Animal Health Week sponsors
Generous support of the 2022 Animal Health Week campaign is provided by Program Sponsors, iFinance Canada (Petcard) and Petsecure Pet Health Insurance. This month we highlight Petsecure:
Petsecure Pet Health Insurance
Petsecure Pet Health Insurance celebrates veterinary care teams as One Health Champions across Canada during Animal Health Week. Veterinarians have a valuable perspective as knowledge leaders in the development and maintenance of a healthy society. Medical expertise combined with understanding of the human and animal relationship allows for integrated action strategies in public health, environmental protection, and food safety. Cats and dogs are increasingly identified as close family members, and this reality creates a significant opportunity for veterinarians to incorporate the One Health philosophy into daily practice.
As a Canadian company, Petsecure Pet Health Insurance is committed to supporting veterinary staff and their canine and feline patients. Our pet insurance products allow veterinarians to examine, diagnose, and treat pets according to individual needs with the peace of mind financial protection brings to clients*. Unlike some pet insurance companies, Petsecure covers examination fees and taxes, so clients never have to worry about reaching out to you for the best medical advice and care.
“The role of the veterinary team is critical to the One Health concept of community wellness. A successful approach takes into consideration the health of animals, people, and the environment we live in,” says Dr. Colleen Fisher, Veterinary Medical Director of Petsecure.
Petsecure makes insurance better with comprehensive accident and illness coverage, which includes dental and behavior benefits on all Secure plans. The Petsecure in-clinic voucher program is a 6-week trial policy that offers new pet owners financial protection in the event of unexpected veterinary expenses. Ask us about wellness plans that include coverage for annual examinations, vaccines, parasite control, and routine health testing.
You, as a veterinarian, are the expert when it comes to promoting the One Health philosophy with your pet families. Set your clients up for a lifetime of great pet healthcare by offering Petsecure Pet Health Insurance. Local Territory Managers are available across Canada to support care teams in clinic with educational seminars and information materials. CVMA members may contact their local Territory Manager or reach out to our Vetline at 1-877-202-5813 for information about our products.
