On the occasion of World Veterinary Day 2025, the International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (IIVER) presented a distinguished voice in veterinary science: Dr. Gaya Prasad, former dean and a key contributor to veterinary education and public health. In his insightful and far-reaching keynote, Dr. Prasad discussed the evolving and expanding role of veterinarians across global health, zoonosis prevention, biotechnology, and environmental conservation.
World Veterinary Day: History and Theme
World Veterinary Day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April, a tradition that began in 2000, when the World Veterinary Association (WVA) established the day to recognize and promote the vital role of veterinarians in protecting animal health, public health, and the environment. The initiative traces its roots back to April 1863, when Professor John Gamgee of the Veterinary College, Edinburgh, convened the first International Veterinary Congress in Hamburg, Germany—an event that eventually evolved into the formation of the World Veterinary Association. The first World Veterinary Day was observed on Saturday, April 29, 2000, and it has since become an annual event marked by a dedicated theme each year.
The theme for 2025 emphasizes a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to veterinary care, highlighting roles not only for clinical veterinarians but also for:
- Pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
- AI and information technology experts
- Bioinformaticians
- Extension workers
- Farmers, wildlife specialists, and researchers
Symbol of the Profession: The Gentle Doctor
Photo by Caitlin Yamada / Iowa State Daily
During 1937 the creation of "Gentle Doctor" emerged as a symbolic artwork that depicted veterinarians with their compassionate nature and commitment. This statue continues to symbolize how veterinarians provide patient-focused care with compassion.
Global Veterinary Institutions and Regulation
The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) maintains global authority over animal and animal product exchanges through its previous name, OIE (Office des Epizooties). The World Organization for Animal Health was founded in 1924 to prevent animal diseases from spreading internationally. The organization passively states that worldwide veterinary services generate poverty reduction through enhanced rural economic conditions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock functions as a fundamental pathway for elevating rural families beyond poverty levels.
One Health: The Unifying Concept
Source: Gael Lamielle
Dr. Prasad emphasized the “One Health” approach, which merges veterinary, medical, and environmental sciences. Introduced by Rudolf Virchow and later promoted by Calvin Schwabe, One Health recognizes that animal health, human health, and environmental sustainability are connected.Modern pandemics like avian influenza, Nipah virus, and HIV/AIDS have animal origins.
Wildlife consumption practices in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo increase collateral risks.
Veterinary Contributions to Emerging Technologies
Veterinarians play a key role in:
- Developing animal models for human diseases
- Vaccine development (e.g., India’s FMD vaccine developed by multiple veterinary colleges)
- Advanced diagnostic technologies like microarrays and virus chips capable of detecting 20,000 viruses simultaneously
Biotechnology and De-Extinction Science
Remus, the Dire wolf pup. Source: Colossal. Link
Dr. Prasad showcased pioneering work in conservation genetics:
- Genome sequencing of endangered species like the Indian one-horned rhino and Bengal tiger to detect inbreeding
- De-extinction projects like the resurrection of the woolly mammoth and dire wolves, led by Colossal Biosciences in Texas
He shared insights into how researchers extracted DNA from a 39,000-year-old mammoth calf found in Siberian permafrost. This DNA is being used in attempts to recreate extinct species using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
Colossal Biosciences employs multidisciplinary teams, including veterinarians, and their animals can be worth millions of dollars. Veterinary care for such animals requires precision and expertise.
Cloning and Transgenic Research
Veterinarians have pioneered cloning technologies, beginning with Dolly the sheep.
In India, institutions like NDRI Karnal have successfully cloned buffaloes.
Notable advancements include:
- Pigs engineered to grow twice as fast using CRISPR
- Goats producing spider silk proteins for bulletproof vests
- Cows’ resistant to mastitis via genetic modification
Many transgenic animals are used for pharmaceutical production. For example:
- One pig producing human protein C is valued at $100,000/year
- Sheep producing AAT protein for human therapy: $15,000/year
Climate Change and Disease Forecasting
A 2022 "Nature" study predicted that over the next 50 years, 15,000 new diseases could jump from animals to humans due to climate change-induced habitat shifts. Highly populated and livestock-dense regions like India are particularly vulnerable.
Recent examples include:
- Avian influenza infecting dairy cattle in the USA
- Human infections from avian influenza in multiple countries, including India
- Mass deaths of marine mammals like sea lions and seals due to bird flu
The Future of Veterinary Medicine
As we move into an increasingly connected and complex world, veterinarians must leverage:
- Artificial intelligence for diagnostics
- Wearables for real-time animal health monitoring
- Robotics and aerial surveillance for herd management
Institutions globally are already integrating these technologies into animal care systems.
Conclusion: The Veterinarian's Expanding Horizon
Veterinarians are more than animal doctors. They are essential health workers, researchers, conservationists, and technology integrators. As Dr. Gaya Prasad articulated, veterinarians hold a pivotal role in addressing the grand challenges of our era — pandemics, food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
Investing in veterinary science is investing in a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for all life on Earth.
