MDARD Proudly Celebrates World Veterinary Day April 27

MDARD deeply appreciates Michigan's veterinarians and our shared partnership in protecting animal and public health

LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) proudly celebrates World Veterinary Day a day devoted to recognizing the valuable and essential contributions of veterinarians in maintaining animal and public health. The collaboration between MDARD and Michigan s veterinarians is fundamental to protecting the state's domestic animals from disease and promoting the best strategies for keeping them healthy.

"We really appreciate our Michigan veterinarians everyday as they work, see animals, and let us know when they see things that are concerning to them," said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "Because if it is concerning to them, it could be a signal of something bigger, and it will be good for us to be aware of and know about."

Veterinarians help create healthier and safer communities by vaccinating animals, offering guidance and education to animal owners, sharing their observations with MDARD, and reporting reportable animal diseases. A number of diseases that are reportable to the State Veterinarian s Office are zoonotic, meaning they can affect animals and people. When diseases such as rabies, West Nile virus, and highly pathogenic avian influenza are recognized and reported by veterinarians, actions can be taken to protect human health and to prevent the spread of disease to other animals.

"Veterinarians are extremely important to us as animal health officials," said Wineland. "They are the eyes and ears out there that report to us when there are things that are abnormal. So, if there is something that needs to be done to address a reportable animal disease, they are the ones that see it first and let us know. To all Michigan veterinarians, we thank you."

By sharing their insights, challenges, and observations with MDARD, veterinarians are not only working to resolve a particular issue they are seeing within their own practice but also helping to inform the broader network of animal health professionals across the state. This feedback improves the guidance and resources MDARD provides to Michigan s veterinary professionals, animal owners, and the broader animal industry throughout the state.

Maintaining the health and well-being of Michigan s animals is a collaborative effort. At MDARD, we recognize how integral veterinarians are to the communities they serve and how important they are to every animal they treat.

To view Dr. Wineland's message of appreciation to Michigan veterinarians, please watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1mm0tv_TK0.

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