Veterinarians: Specialists at the Heart of One Health Initiatives - One Health Careers Series (2)

Article Objective

This article aims to explore the diverse specialties within veterinary medicine and their integral roles in advancing the One Health approach—a collaborative effort that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By examining various veterinary specialties, including their involvement in agriculture and their global impact, we highlight how veterinarians contribute to comprehensive health solutions worldwide.

Introduction

Veterinarians are pivotal in safeguarding the health of animals, humans, and the environment. Their expertise extends beyond clinical care to encompass public health, environmental conservation, and agricultural productivity. Through various specialties, veterinarians embody the One Health concept, addressing complex health challenges that arise from the intricate links between people, animals, and ecosystems.

Key Veterinary Specialties and Their Contributions to One Health

1. Anatomic Pathology

• Role: Anatomic pathologists study disease-induced structural changes in animal tissues through necropsies and biopsies.
• One Health Contribution: By diagnosing diseases in animals, they can identify zoonotic pathogens that may pose risks to human health, aiding in early detection and prevention strategies.

2. Epidemiology

• Role: Veterinary epidemiologists investigate disease patterns, causes, and effects in animal populations.
• One Health Contribution: Their work in tracking and controlling outbreaks, such as avian influenza, is crucial in preventing cross-species transmission and safeguarding public health.

3. Microbiology

• Role: Veterinary microbiologists focus on microorganisms that cause diseases in animals.
• One Health Contribution: Understanding pathogens like bacteria and viruses in animals helps prevent zoonotic diseases, contributing to the development of vaccines and antimicrobial therapies.

4. Parasitology

• Role: Veterinary parasitologists study parasites affecting animals.
• One Health Contribution: By controlling parasitic infections in livestock and pets, they reduce the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission to humans, ensuring food safety and public health.

5. Public Health

• Role: Veterinarians in public health develop policies and programs to prevent and control diseases.
• One Health Contribution: They address issues like food safety, zoonotic disease outbreaks, and antimicrobial resistance, directly influencing human health outcomes.

6. Wildlife Medicine

• Role: Wildlife veterinarians care for free-ranging and captive wild animals.
• One Health Contribution: Monitoring wildlife health helps detect emerging diseases that could affect humans and domestic animals, maintaining ecological balance.

7. Laboratory Animal Medicine

• Role: Specialists ensure the health and welfare of animals used in research.
• One Health Contribution: They uphold ethical standards and the validity of research findings, which can lead to medical advancements benefiting all species.

8. Aquatic Animal Health

• Role: Veterinarians specializing in aquatic animals address health issues in species like fish and amphibians.
• One Health Contribution: Ensuring the health of aquatic species supports environmental health and food security, reflecting the interconnectedness emphasized in the One Health approach.

9. Shelter Medicine

• Role: Shelter veterinarians manage the health of animals in shelters.
• One Health Contribution: By controlling infectious diseases in shelters, they prevent potential outbreaks in the broader community, protecting both animal and human health.

10. Zoological Medicine

• Role: Veterinarians in this field care for animals in zoos and aquariums.
• One Health Contribution: They contribute to conservation efforts and educate the public about biodiversity and ecosystem health, fostering a holistic understanding of health interconnections.

Agricultural Involvement: Veterinary Specialties Enhancing One Health

Veterinarians play a crucial role in agriculture, ensuring the health of livestock and, consequently, the safety of the food supply. Their involvement in agriculture is multifaceted, encompassing disease prevention, food safety, and environmental sustainability.

1. Food Animal Medicine

• Role: Veterinarians specializing in food animal medicine focus on the health and management of livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry.
• One Health Contribution: By maintaining the health of food-producing animals, they ensure a safe and reliable food supply, prevent zoonotic diseases, and promote sustainable farming practices.

2. Theriogenology

• Role: This specialty involves animal reproduction, including obstetrics, gynecology, and semenology.
• One Health Contribution: Improving reproductive efficiency in livestock enhances food production and economic stability in agricultural communities, contributing to food security.

3. Animal Welfare Science

• Role: Veterinarians in this field assess and promote the well-being of farm animals.
• One Health Contribution: Ensuring humane treatment of livestock improves animal health and product quality, aligning with ethical standards and consumer expectations.

4. Environmental Health

• Role: Veterinarians assess the impact of farming practices on ecosystems.
• One Health Contribution: By promoting sustainable agriculture, they help reduce environmental degradation, benefiting human health and biodiversity.

5. Regulatory Medicine

• Role: Veterinarians enforce laws related to animal health and food safety.
• One Health Contribution: They prevent the spread of diseases through trade

Global Impact: Veterinarians as Key Players in One Health

Veterinarians operate at the frontlines of global health, tackling emerging infectious diseases, food security issues, and biodiversity conservation. Their work is critical in shaping international health policies, responding to outbreaks, and supporting sustainable agricultural systems.

1. Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control

• Veterinarians play a crucial role in preventing zoonotic diseases—illnesses that spread between animals and humans.
• Example: The global effort to eliminate rabies, led by organizations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), relies on veterinarians for mass canine vaccination programs, surveillance, and public education campaigns.
• Their expertise was instrumental in managing COVID-19, as they contributed to studies on animal reservoirs and transmission risks.

2. Food Security and Safety

• Veterinarians ensure that livestock and poultry industries follow biosecurity measures that protect food sources from contamination and disease.
• They develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies, ensuring responsible antibiotic use in food animals to prevent resistant infections in humans.
• Example: Veterinary oversight of livestock production has improved avian influenza control, preventing major food supply disruptions.

3. Conservation and Biodiversity

• Wildlife veterinarians monitor animal populations to detect disease spillovers before they become pandemics.
• Example: The One Health approach was essential in responding to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, where wildlife veterinarians helped identify the source of transmission from fruit bats to humans.
• Their work in endangered species protection supports ecological balance, indirectly benefiting human health through environmental sustainability.

4. International Policy and Veterinary Public Health

• Organizations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), WOAH, and WHO rely on veterinary expertise to craft policies that protect both human and animal health.
• Veterinarians contribute to global trade regulations, ensuring animal health standards are met in international markets.
• Example: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) prevention programs have been successful in reducing outbreaks, thanks to veterinary-led vaccination campaigns and monitoring programs.

Career Pathways and Opportunities for Veterinarians in One Health

Veterinarians in One Health work in various capacities across government, academia, research institutions, non-profits, and private industry.

• Government Agencies: Roles in the CDC, USDA, FDA, WHO, WOAH, and national health departments addressing zoonotic disease prevention and food safety.
• International Organizations: Careers in FAO, World Bank, and UN One Health initiatives tackling global health challenges.
• Non-Profit and Conservation Groups: Work with Wildlife Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to preserve biodiversity and prevent wildlife-related disease outbreaks.
• Academia & Research: Opportunities in veterinary schools, public health programs, and research centers focusing on disease surveillance, vaccine development, and epidemiology.

Education and Training: Becoming a Veterinarian in One Health

Becoming a veterinarian is a journey that requires years of education, hands-on experience, and a passion for animal and public health. Those who pursue veterinary medicine with a One Health focus go beyond traditional animal care—they become experts in disease prevention, food safety, conservation, and public health.

So, what does it take to become a veterinarian contributing to the One Health movement?

Step 1: Laying the Foundation – Undergraduate Education

The first step toward becoming a veterinarian is earning an undergraduate degree. While veterinary schools don’t require a specific major, most students choose fields like biology, animal science, or environmental science to build a strong foundation. Courses in chemistry, physics, microbiology, and statistics are typically required for admission to veterinary school.

Just as important as coursework is hands-on experience. Volunteering or working at veterinary clinics, animal shelters, or farms provides valuable exposure to different aspects of veterinary medicine. Some students even gain experience in wildlife rehabilitation, research labs, or food animal production, helping them develop a One Health perspective early on.

Step 2: Earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree

Admission to veterinary school is competitive, with applicants typically required to take entrance exams such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or, in some cases, country-specific exams like the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT).

Once admitted, students embark on a rigorous four-year DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) program that blends classroom instruction with clinical training. The curriculum covers:

• Pre-clinical studies – Anatomy, physiology, pathology, infectious diseases, pharmacology, and epidemiology.
• Clinical rotations – Hands-on experience working with small animals, large animals, exotics, and in specialized fields like public health, pathology, and One Health research.
• Preventive medicine and One Health concepts – Some veterinary schools now integrate zoonotic disease control, food security, and environmental health into their programs.

Students with an interest in One Health can enhance their education by participating in dual-degree programs, such as a DVM/MPH (Master of Public Health), which equips veterinarians to work in public health, epidemiology, and policymaking.

Step 3: Licensing and Specialization

After completing veterinary school, graduates must pass licensing exams to practice in their respective countries. In the United States and Canada, this means passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Other regions have their own certification requirements, such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) exam in the United Kingdom or the Australian Veterinary Board Examination (AVBE).

From here, some veterinarians enter general practice, while others pursue specialization through residency programs and board certification in areas like:

• Epidemiology – Studying disease outbreaks and controlling zoonotic transmission.
• Wildlife medicine – Monitoring animal populations to prevent emerging diseases.
• Food animal medicine – Ensuring the health of livestock and food safety.
• Public health – Working in governmental agencies to develop health policies.

Residencies typically last two to four years and involve in-depth training in the veterinarian’s chosen specialty, often culminating in certification by an organization such as the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM) or the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM).

Top Veterinary Schools Around the World

For those seeking a world-class veterinary education, several institutions stand out, not only for their veterinary programs but also for their commitment to One Health research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Among the top-ranked veterinary schools globally are:

• Royal Veterinary College, University of London (UK) – One of the oldest and most prestigious veterinary institutions, known for its research in zoonotic diseases.
• University of California, Davis (USA) – A leader in public health veterinary medicine and food animal health.
• Cornell University (USA) – Home to global One Health initiatives and veterinary epidemiology programs.
• University of Guelph (Canada) – Its Ontario Veterinary College emphasizes veterinary public health and disease surveillance.
• University of Sydney (Australia) – A key player in wildlife health and conservation veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Schools with a One Health Focus

For aspiring veterinarians who want to integrate human, animal, and environmental health into their careers, several institutions specifically emphasize One Health principles in their programs:

• University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (USA) – Offers a DVM/MPH dual-degree program focusing on disease control and public health.
• University of Pretoria (South Africa) – Home to the Centre for Viral Zoonoses, focusing on research into diseases like rabies and Rift Valley fever.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (USA) – Known for international One Health initiatives and research collaborations.
• Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine (USA) – Actively integrates One Health into its veterinary curriculum.
• Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (St. Kitts and Nevis) – Offers a Certificate in One Health, ideal for veterinarians looking to enhance their expertise in global health issues.

Final Thoughts: The Path to a One Health Veterinary Career

Veterinary medicine is far more than treating pets—it’s about ensuring the health of entire populations, whether through food safety, wildlife conservation, or disease prevention. By choosing a veterinary education with a One Health focus, future veterinarians can play a crucial role in tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

For those inspired to make an impact beyond the clinic, pursuing a veterinary degree at a school that prioritizes interdisciplinary learning, global health, and sustainability can open doors to careers in public health, conservation, epidemiology, and policy-making.

As One Health continues to gain global recognition, veterinarians trained in this approach will be at the forefront of solving complex health issues that affect animals, humans, and ecosystems alike.

Current Job Opportunities

Veterinary Public Health Officer – WHO

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Role: Support zoonotic disease programs and antimicrobial resistance strategies.

Wildlife Veterinarian – Wildlife Conservation Society

• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Role: Work on disease monitoring and conservation efforts.

Regulatory Veterinary Specialist – USDA

• Location: Washington, D.C., USA
• Role: Ensure livestock health and compliance with food safety standards.

Aquatic Animal Health Veterinarian – FAO

• Location: Rome, Italy
• Role: Oversee fish health programs and sustainable aquaculture.

Thank you for taking the time to engage with this article. GBL4 is committed to shedding light on critical topics around zoonosis, patient care, and the broader implications of One Health. We invite you to delve deeper into these subjects by visiting GBL4.org. Stay updated with our latest insights by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on LinkedIn. Your thoughts and feedback are invaluable to us, so please feel free to comment on the article and join the conversation. Together, we can drive meaningful change and foster a better understanding of the interconnectedness of our world.