The work of Canadian veterinarians reaches far beyond companion animals. They protect livestock that feed our families, safeguard wildlife populations, monitor diseases that can spread between animals and people, support medical research, and help ensure Canada’s food supply remains among the safest in the world. Their influence extends across agriculture, trade, public health, environmental stewardship, emergency preparedness, and scientific innovation. The impact of veterinary medicine is often measured not by what happens, but by what doesn’t happen.

Beyond veterinary clinics, veterinarians work for governments, universities, pharmaceutical companies, food producers, research institutions, conservation organizations, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. They help protect an agriculture and agri-food sector that contributes approximately 7% of Canada’s GDP, creates one in every nine Canadian jobs, and depends on healthy animals and strong disease prevention systems.

The greatest impact veterinarians may have on Canadian society pertains to One Health. This globally recognized approach acknowledges that the health of people, animals, and the environment is inseparably connected. Veterinarians are uniquely trained to work at this intersection. Whether responding to avian influenza, monitoring antimicrobial resistance, protecting wildlife, improving food security, or helping prevent the next emerging disease, veterinarians are critical partners in protecting the health of all Canadians.