Lawson Cairns, a Scot, who lives and works in South Africa, is a long-term regional co-ordinator for WSAVA Continuing Education in Africa and also a member of the WSAVA’s Leadership and Nomination Committee
Dr Lawson Cairns
Could you introduce yourself to our members?
I qualified in 1971 from the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1971 then worked in the UK before travelling to South Africa to work in Kwazulu-Natal. I started out as a single man practice and went on to develop a six-veterinarian companion animal practice, which includes a 24-hour hospital facility. I retired from practice two years ago but still do some locum and other work.
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I’ve been involved in many committees and associations, including the Natal Branch of the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) and the National Veterinary Group (NVCG). As part of my NVCG role, I was required to attend the annual WSAVA Congress, where my Scottish accent confused everybody as I was representing the Republic of South Africa!
In 2006, I joined the WSAVA’s CE Committee and I continue to support 12 countries in southern Africa by arranging CE lectures. These were conducted face-to-face until COVID struck and we are now trying assist members via webinars organized by the WSAVA and other commercial webinars passed onto the organizers in countries which are WSAVA members or potential members.
I enjoyed helping to organize the 2014 WSAVA Congress in Cape Town, after which we arranged for some lecturers to provide pro bono lectures in a number of southern African countries. I was honored to receive a Global Merit Award from the WSAVA during this Congress.
I joined the WSAVA’s Leadership and Nomination Committee three years ago. We monitor all applications for suitable members of WSAVA Committees and make recommendations where the Committee feels either the rules are incorrect or not properly applied. It is a very busy Committee and plays a very important role within the WSAVA.
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How have veterinarians in South African been faring since the outbreak of COVID-19?
Veterinarians in South Africa have not only had COVID-19 to deal but also the fall-out from the outbreak of rioting and looting during the Summer. This led to a number of veterinarians leaving the country and, as a result, we now have a shortage of veterinarians.
As with many other countries, ‘stay at home’ orders have meant that clients have spent more time with their pets and, as a result, they seem to present at our clinics more often than before. On a positive note, while funds to spend on treatment have decreased where jobs have been lost, other owners have saved money so are more willing to spend on their pets.
You have a long track record of volunteering your time for the WSAVA. Why do you believe its work is important and what have you learned and most enjoyed?
The WSAVA is a broad-based association, focused on companion animals, my main interest for the last 30 years. The various Committees are ‘go to’ sources of information for veterinary professionals needing advice on treating patients or engaging owners.
I believe that our involvement with CE in southern Africa has help to educate generations of veterinarians and, without the help of the WSAVA, we would not have seen so much progress. It has been a privilege to travel to these countries with an expert lecturer colleague and to meet so many highly motivated veterinarians. I have made some fantastic friends and colleagues and this is something you can’t put a value on.
How do you relax outside work?
My wife would say I do not relax much! We have e-bikes which we use to help stay fit and I am a handyman at fixing things – mostly for my grandson. We also love to explore our country with our camper and, despite what you sometimes hear, we live in the most beautiful country with many different areas to explore. Our favourite places to visit are wildlife reserves.
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