World Veterinary Day 2022 focuses on strengthening veterinary resilience

Veterinarians need tools and support to maintain their personal health and wellness, according to the announcement for World Veterinary Day 2022. The event falls on April 30 this year, and the theme is “Strengthening veterinary resilience.”

The World Veterinary Association created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, taking place on the last Saturday of April. Since 2019, the WVA has partnered with Health for Animals, the global animal heath industry association, on the World Veterinary Day Award, which honors one WVA member’s activities related to the theme.

“Healthy animals require healthy advocates,” according to this year’s award announcement. “Resilient veterinarians are better equipped to handle the daily challenges and crises that may occur in their practices.”

The announcement continues, “The 2022 World Veterinary Day will celebrate efforts from veterinarians, veterinary associations and others to strengthen veterinary resilience and bring attention to this important cause.”

The WVA and Health for Animals will confer the World Veterinary Day Award and $3,500 to the WVA member that best promotes the annual theme.

Last year, the theme of World Veterinary Day was “Veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis.” The AVMA won the 2021 World Veterinary Day Award for its immediate response to the pandemic.

The AVMA developed an online COVID-19 resource center that was first made available to veterinarians around the world in February 2020—three weeks before the World Health Organization’s global pandemic declaration.

Get details about World Veterinary Day and the World Veterinary Day Award.