Description of the committee’s work and goal
The purpose of the WSAVA Nutrition Committee is:
- to help our members understand the important role of nutrition in companion animal health by providing an expert source of accurate nutritional information and advice, both for them and their clients
- enhance awareness among the veterinary healthcare team and the public for nutrition’s vital role in optimum pet health.
- to advocate for nutrition as a key component in all veterinary and veterinary nurse/technician curricula.
- to promote the importance of performing a nutritional assessment on every animal at every visit, and to make specific nutritional recommendations for each patient as an integral component of patient care.
- to advance the central role of the veterinary healthcare team as the expert source of information for optimal pet nutrition.
Examples of the Nutrition Committee’s work are on the WSAVA committee webpage, as are the WSAVA Nutrition Guidelines and Resources.
Detailed description of the desired candidates
- The Nutrition Committee is seeking a motivated, dedicated, qualified small animal veterinary nutritionist (ideally an ECVIM or ACVIM diplomate, or having a PhD in small animal nutrition)
- Due to the global nature of the WSAVA and world importance of nutrition, it is recommended this committee consist of geographically and professionally diverse individuals.
- To maintain credibility within the profession and public community, individuals employed within the pet-food industry may not be committee members.
- Proficiency in oral and written English and have excellent writing and time management skills.
- Ability and willingness to work hard and cooperatively as a member of a small, dynamic, enthusiastic team.
- Enthusiasm for the development of online educational information resources.
List of responsibilities from committee members
- Attend and participate in face- to- face and virtual meetings.
- Respond to electronic communications in a timely manner.
- Ability and willingness to participate in effective and collegial committee interactions.
- Have a special interest and understanding of small animal nutrition.
- Ability and willingness to communicate as a speaker/presenter of such Nutrition Committee sanctioned information as needed.
- Participate in Nutrition Committee projects.
- Attend the WSAVA Congress.
- Adhere to the WSAVA values and Code of Conduct.
- Show evidence of ongoing engagement with committee functions. The membership will be reviewed yearly for diversity, participation, and productivity that performance, based on the responsibilities of a committee member detailed herewith and in the committee Terms of Reference (ToR) will be evaluated after a year by the chair. If performance cannot be improved, the member may be asked to resign before the end of their term.
Remuneration for this role
All WSAVA committee members including the chairperson are volunteers. However, reasonable expenses incurred while carrying out WSAVA duties will be reimbursed, in accordance with the WSAVA Travel and Expenses Policy.
Applicant must provide the full documentation required below, in English, via this dedicated application link:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Intent
- Letter of Good Standing from WSAVA Member Association*
Applications should be submitted before 27 December 2025 – 22:00 UTC
*All nominees for membership of any WSAVA committee/group are required to provide a letter of Good Standing from the WSAVA member organization of which they are a member. This requirement does not apply to nominees who are not members of a WSAVA organization (e.g. non-veterinarians) whose expertise may be necessary for specialist committees/groups. A person of Good Standing is defined as someone who has complied with all explicit obligations of the association and who is not subject to any form of sanction, suspension or disciplinary censure. This letter is not a recommendation from the association that the nominee is the best person for the position. WSAVA committee positions are not chosen by member organizations – the Committee Chair ultimately decides on the best candidate for the position and the choice is ratified by the Executive Board. This letter indicates only that the WSAVA member association has no objection to the nomination. Please click here to view an example of this letter.