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Animal Health Week 2023 — October 1 to 7, It Takes a Team… To Protect Your Animal’s Health and You.
July 28, 2023
It’s time to start planning for Animal Health Week 2023! 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. During the first week of October, veterinary teams across Canada promote a significant animal health-related message, and responsible animal ownership as part of Animal Health Week celebrations. Many veterinary hospitals and clinics host open houses, hold photo contests, offer clinic tours, and organize various events for their community. You can also participate by engaging with and sharing our AHW social media messages, which are available to download from our website and can be shared via our social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
This year’s message is It Takes a Team… To Protect Your Animal’s Health and You. From October 1 to 7, 2023, the CVMA will raise awareness about the importance of the community of veterinary healthcare workers and animal owners it takes to help raise happy and healthy animals. This campaign will empower the national veterinary community through education, awareness, and recognition, in turn improving public health and animal welfare.
The 2023 Animal Health Week campaign key messages are intended to educate the public about the importance of the entire veterinary team.
- Veterinarians are medical professionals who are trained to protect the health of animals and people in contact with animals. Veterinarians can work with large and small animals to evaluate animals’ health, diagnose, and treat illnesses, provide routine preventive care, prescribe medication, and perform surgery. Veterinarians have completed a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and are licensed to provide medical and surgical care to animals.
— Veterinarians also work in zoos, wildlife parks, or aquariums; focus on public health and regulatory medicine; enter academia or research; or pursue other animal related career paths. - Veterinary Technicians are invaluable team members who directly assist veterinarians with medical and non-medical services in clinical practice. Veterinary technicians undergo extensive studies and training to assist veterinarians with surgery, laboratory procedures, radiography, anesthesiology, treatment and nursing care, and client education.
- Veterinary Assistants support veterinarians, veterinary technicians and/or clients with daily tasks. Assistants may be asked to perform kennel work, assist in the restraint and handling of animals, feed and exercise animals, or complete clerical duties.
- Hospital Managers greatly improve the team’s efficiency by overseeing the business operations of the practice. Depending upon the size and type of hospital/clinic, the manager’s duties could include personnel hiring and supervision, budget and inventory management, accounting, marketing, and developing recordkeeping and other business standards for practice.
- The Receptionist is usually the first person to welcome clients into the hospital and the last person to see clients before leaving. A skilled receptionist will address all client interactions with compassion, organize front desk tasks, handle a variety of client questions or requests, and efficiently coordinate appointment schedules.
- Other Team Members may also include adoption counselors, grief counselors, social workers, administrative assistants, kennel or barn workers, and part-time volunteers.
- Everyone plays an important role in assuring the health and well-being of animals and people who care for them.
As Animal Health Week nears, visit the AHW page of the Practice Tools section under the Veterinary Resources tab of the CVMA website to find tips and tools to help plan your celebrations.
2023 Animal Health Week sponsor
Generous support of the 2023 Animal Health Week campaign is provided by Program Sponsor, Petsecure Pet Health Insurance.
