For most pet owners, the veterinarian’s office is where we go to seek answers and care during stressful times involving the health of our beloved companions. In the agriculture and food industries, veterinarians are integral to maintaining the health and safety of livestock destined for food production.
But what if we told you that the role of veterinarians goes far beyond this?
Today’s veterinarians are trained to protect the health of not just every species of animal, but of humans and ecosystems as well. Their multi-disciplinary expertise and wide-reaching contributions to research, education, and public health make them the ideal stewards for the One Health approach.
🎙️ Expert Perspective
Dr. Gustavo Hernández Vidal, PhD
Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (FMVZ UANL)
“Veterinarians are not only animal doctors—we are public health protectors, disease detectives, food safety specialists, environmental advocates, and community educators. In the One Health framework, veterinarians are collaborative leaders who contribute to global health security, environmental stewardship, and the resilience of communities.”
“One Health is a collaborative, transdisciplinary, and multisectoral approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It is not simply a concept—it is a framework for action. In today’s globalized and ecologically complex world, it is impossible to address health challenges in isolation.”
The COVID-19 and avian influenza pandemics both originated as zoonotic diseases, infections that were transmitted between animals and humans. These events have underscored the urgent need to incorporate veterinary expertise into public health policy, education, and research.
As human activities continue to intersect with animals and encroach on wildlife habitats, the risk of zoonotic spillover events increases dramatically. No professionals are better positioned to identify and track threats than the veterinarians who work directly with animal populations. For this reason, institutions like UTMB, and other universities with One Health initiatives, frequently partner with veterinarians in their disease surveillance, response, and policy planning efforts.
👨⚕️ Veterinarians on the Frontline
Dan Cummings, DVM, DABVP
Clinical Operations, Heritage Vet Partners
“Veterinarians serve as key stakeholders in One Health. Because of the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment, veterinarians are contributing meaningfully—whether treating sick animals, preventing costly diseases, or training personnel. Our role as advocates for animal health and well-being is critical when addressing complex issues such as antimicrobial resistance or zoonotic disease prevention.”
While veterinarians like Dr. Cummings highlight the essential, hands-on role of clinicians in disease prevention and health management, researchers in veterinary medicine are equally vital to One Health. Their work uncovers the mechanisms of disease emergence, tracks transmission across species, and informs public health strategies at a global level.
🧬 A Research Perspective
Feng Li, DVM, PhD
Professor and William Robert Mills Endowed Chair in Virology
University Research Professor, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky
“In our own work, we contributed to One Health through the discovery of a novel group of influenza viruses now known as influenza D. Though we first detected it in swine, a One Health lens helped us identify bovines as the primary reservoir. Since then, this virus has been shown to infect other mammals and may potentially affect humans as well. That kind of cross-species surveillance is central to what veterinarians do.”
“Veterinarians collect frontline data and often trigger the chain of response when a new disease arises. A culture has developed in our field: when a new animal disease emerges, we immediately ask, can this affect humans? That mindset has enabled faster containment strategies and biosecurity responses, as we saw in the recent U.S. HPAI outbreaks in dairy cows.”
As a society we must ensure that we are prepared to effectively detect, track, and contain emerging viruses, especially those of zoonotic origin, before they reach pandemic proportions. A critical part of that preparation is making sure professionals of all backgrounds understand their role in this effort. And among them, veterinarians are especially vital.
Whether you're a veterinary student, practicing clinician, researcher, or policymaker, there is a place for you in the One Health conversation. Advocate for integrated training programs, support surveillance systems, and participate in local One Health initiatives. Together, we can protect the health of all living beings.
As Dr. Gustavo emphasizes:
“It is time to move beyond the traditional image of veterinarians working only in clinics or on farms. In the One Health framework, veterinarians are collaborative leaders who contribute to global health security, environmental stewardship, and the resilience of communities. Our voice, knowledge, and actions are vital, and we must be included as equal partners in shaping health policy and innovation at every level.”