Dr. Ellen van Nierop is breaking down borders

There are plenty of acronyms in the field of veterinary medicine.

You are likely familiar with some already.

For example, DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and so on.

But how much do you know about the WSAVA?

Today, Vet Candy invites readers to find out!

Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Ellen van Nierop, World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) President. Originally from the Netherlands, Dr. Ellen has traveled all over the world in pursuit of making life better for animals. She shares the goals of the WSAVA, what it’s like working in Ecuador, and tells us about the challenges veterinarians in different parts of the world face.

Introducing, the legendary Dr. Ellen van Nierop!

The Good Work of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association

Whether you know it or not, if you practice in the United States, you could already be a WSAVA member.

Dr. Ellen van Nierop explains, “First of all, if you are an AVMA member, or an AAHA member, or a NAVTA member, you are also a WSAVA member. So, welcome to the family and please spread the word!”

As the president, Dr. Ellen is eager for people to get involved.

From helping out with social media to joining committees, there is lots to do.

“The primary purpose of this organization is to advance the quality and availability of small animal medicine and surgery, creating a unified standard of care for the benefit of animals and humankind,” she shares.

The WSAVA also works to set globally relevant standards in key areas of veterinary practice, support the personal and professional development for the whole veterinary team (especially for those working in countries where companion animal practice is still emerging), campaign on key issues, advocate for the inclusion of companion animal medicine into the One Health concept, and so much more.

For Dr. Ellen, overseeing all these goals is the perfect match.

After graduating as a veterinarian, she travelled the world for a year volunteering with wildlife. Eventually, Ecuador called her home.

But she never lost sight of the big picture.

Dr. Ellen says:

“I volunteered at a number of wildlife centers, including one in Ecuador, for a year. When I came home to the Netherlands, I looked for a job and ended up working as a temporary receptionist at a professional cleaning company. Fortunately, this only lasted a month or two. Then I moved to Ecuador and worked as a full-time (and I mean 24 hours on 24 hours full-time!) vet in a new practice.”

Nowadays, being the president of WSAVA keeps her busy. In fact, she represents 200,000+ veterinarians through 114 member associations.

But that’s how Dr. Ellen likes it!

With open-mindedness, respect, trust in others, calmness, and kindness she is helping the vet med community, no matter where on earth they’re located.

Overcoming Borders and Barriers 

When asked, “What is the biggest problem facing the veterinary field today?” Dr. Ellen van Nierop answered in one word.

Borders.

“The challenges veterinarians face in different parts of the world vary,” she acknowledges. “If we could inject some of what works well in one place to another place, we could all be much better off. But borders always get in the way.”

For instance, the US and Europe are facing a veterinarian shortage. Yet in Latin America, there is a surplus.

Likewise, vets in Latin America, Asia and Africa often face huge problems in accessing medicines to treat their patients. But those working in the US and Europe have a gigantic problem restricting access to widely available meds to people without a prescription.  

These are just two examples where borders make being a veterinarian challenging.

“We have so much knowledge between us,” Dr. Ellen says.

The good news is organizations like WSAVA are working hard to build a global community of veterinary peers who support each other.

Dr. Ellen’s final words of advice?

You can be anything you want if you work for it!

Learn more about the WSAMA and their by clicking on the link below

World Small Animal Veterinary Association

Check out the next WSAVA World Congress in Portugal in 2023

WSAVA Portugal

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