Global Advocate of the Role of Veterinarians in Animal Welfare Recognized with WSAVA Award

(26.03.2019) An American veterinarian, board-certified in both animal welfare and behavior, has been announced as the recipient of this year’s World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Award for Companion Animal Welfare. 

Dr Melissa Bain is a professor of Clinical Animal Behavior at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in the US, where her research interests include enrichment for confined cats, owner attachment issues and stress in shelter animals.


Dr Melissa Bain
She is to receive the Award in recognition of the significant contribution she has made to animal welfare through integrating the field of human-animal interactions with veterinary clinical behavior.

Dr Bain received her DVM from the University of Illinois and worked as an associate in a small animal practice in suburban Chicago and a mixed-animal practice in south west Wisconsin before joining UC Davis, initially as a resident. 

In addition to her clinical, teaching, and research duties as Professor of Clinical Animal Behavior, she is Director of Professional Student Clinical Education.

In this role she mentors veterinary students and residents, ensuring that the next generation of veterinarians is equipped with the expertise to further advance companion animal welfare globally.

Her passion for veterinary education led her to lobby successfully for an increase in the range of courses on animal behavior and welfare courses available to veterinary students and to better integrate them within UC Davis’ overall veterinary school curriculum.

She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Animal Welfare Assessment Contest (AWJAC) Advisory Board. 

The AWJAC is an annual educational event run by the AVMA for veterinary, undergraduate and graduate students, along with veterinarians, with the goal of increasing understanding and awareness of the welfare issues affecting animals used for human purposes.

Dr Bain is also past president of both the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists and a prolific lecturer and author to veterinarians and other animal health professionals.

She regularly gives talks on the role of veterinarians in advancing animal health and welfare to elementary and high school students. She was the recipient of the 2016 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, given by the AVMA.

The WSAVA Companion Animal Welfare Award, developed by the WSAVA’s Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC), recognizes individual veterinarians who have made a significant contribution to animal welfare and inspired others to play their part in advancing welfare globally.

Commenting, Dr Melinda Merck, Co-Chair of the AWWC, said: “Dr Bain has shown herself to be a visionary veterinary and animal welfare leader, dedicated to service, research and education. Her work has significantly advanced the global veterinary community’s understanding of the important role played by veterinarians in animal welfare and she has made an immeasurable, positive impact on the lives of animals.”

AWWC Co-Chair Dr Tess Kommedal added: “The mentorship that Dr Bain has offered to many veterinary students and residents has encouraged them to follow in her footsteps, carrying a strong emphasis on animal welfare forward into their careers.  She is a worthy recipient of this Award.”

Dr Bain said: “I am so humbled and honored to be selected for this award. In promoting animal welfare, I stand on the shoulders of my amazing colleagues around the world, who are doing incredible research and outreach in this area. Tackling this takes a huge effort, both locally and internationally and, while we have made great progress, it is my priority to continue to promote improving the welfare of our companion animals.”

Dr Bain will receive her Award during this year’s WSAVA World Congress, which takes place in Toronto from 16-19 July.

The WSAVA aims to advance the health and welfare of companion animals worldwide through creating an educated, committed and collaborative global community of veterinary peers.

It represents more than 200,000 veterinarians through 110 member associations.  WSAVA World Congress brings together globally respected experts to offer cutting edge thinking on all aspects of companion animal veterinary care.



Weitere Meldungen

Zoetis

WSAVA Kongress 2023: Zoetis setzt auf Weiterbildung und diagnostischen Fortschritt in der Tiermedizin

Zoetis nimmt am Kongress der World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) teil, der vom 27. bis 29. September 2023 in Lissabon, Portugal, stattfindet
Weiterlesen

Ewan Wolff ; Bildquelle: WSAVA

WSAVA Signs Up to PrideVMC Gender Identity Bill of Rights

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has signed up to a Gender Identity Bill of Rights (GIBOR) created by the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC)
Weiterlesen

Dr Muhammad Hasan Mahrous; Bildquelle: WSAVA

WSAVA Future Leader Award for Dr Muhammad Hasan Mahrous

Dr Muhammad Hasan Mahrous, an Egyptian veterinarian who qualified in 2018 and works at a veterinary clinic in Dubai
Weiterlesen

Faouzi Kechrid to Receive WSAVA Award for Global Meritorious Service; Bildquelle: WSAVA

Faouzi Kechrid to Receive WSAVA Award for Global Meritorious Service

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced that Tunisian veterinarian and WSAVA member representative for the country, is to be awarded the WSAVA’ s prestigious Award for Global Meritorious Service
Weiterlesen

Richard Casey; Bildquelle: WSAVA

Richard Casey ist the new Executive Director for World Small Animal Veterinary Association

Leadership advocate to accelerate progress in the delivery of the WSAVA’s goals
Weiterlesen

Michael J. Day; Bildquelle: WSAVA

Michael J. Day Scholarship Launched by WSAVA: Applications invited for the 2022 Scholarship

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is calling for applications for a new Scholarship launched in memory of Emeritus Professor Michael J. Day
Weiterlesen

WSAVA

WSAVA Calls for ‘Health-focused’ Breeding

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) shares the concerns recently expressed by the Norwegian court regarding the breeding of English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Weiterlesen

WSAVA

Nominations Invited for 2022 WSAVA Awards

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched its annual search for veterinarians and veterinary team members who are going the extra mile to advance the care of companion animals with the launch of its 2022 Awards
Weiterlesen


Wissenschaft


Universitäten


Neuerscheinungen