Description of the committee’s work and goal
The WSAVA One Health Committee (OHC) was established in 2010 by the late Professor Michael Day to ensure that small companion animals are represented in global One Health discussions. The Committee provides leadership and advocates for the inclusion of small companion animals in the One Health agenda, particularly at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health.
Its main focus areas include:
- The human–companion animal bond and its health benefits.
- Comparative and translational research that benefits both animals and humans.
- Surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases shared with companion animals.
- Environmental impacts of small companion animals.
Please review the committee ToR for detailed breakdown.
Goal:
To ensure the prominence of the small companion animal–human interface in the global One Health agenda.
Detailed description of the desired candidates
- The Committee seeks a new environment specialist with a focus relevant to One Health. Ideal candidates will be a Veterinary Medicine (DVM, BVSc, VMD) or Human Medicine (MD, MBBS) with post graduate qualifications and experience in environmental health or Environmental Science/Ecology (MSc, PhD) with research on the interface between animal, human, and environmental health
List of responsibilities from committee members
- Develop One Health-related guidelines and clinical tools for small animals.
- Promote global adoption of guidelines considering regional differences.
- Contribute to WSAVA position statements and global advocacy.
- Publish scientific articles and editorials.
- Organize and participate in One Health symposia.
- Advise the WSAVA Executive Board on One Health issues.
- Maintain communication with the CDC One Health Office and other global bodies, such as WOAH.
- Provide lectures at WSAVA Congresses and other forums.
- Collaborate with other WSAVA committees and sponsors.
- Submit annual activity and decision reports to the WSAVA General Assembly.
- Lead WSAVA’s role in global rabies control efforts.
- Promote the committee’s work via media and WSAVA communications.
- Develop targeted continuing education programs under WSAVA guidance.
- Maintain the One Health Certificate course in collaboration with the Education Committee.
- Respond to electronic communications in a timely manner.
- Ability and willingness to communicate as a speaker/presenter of such One Health Committee sanctioned information as needed.
Additionally
- Participate in One Health Committee projects.
- Attend the WSAVA Congress when requested (travel costs will be covered by WSAVA for any such needs).
- 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.
Time commitment
The tenure of a committee member is a maximum of 3 years, with one extension possible. Estimated time involvement for most members is 2 to 3 hours a month.
The committee meets quarterly online with email exchanges in the months when no meeting is held. An in-person meeting at the WSAVA congress. Notwithstanding the above, ad hoc meetings are called to address specific issues when they arise.
Remuneration for this role
All WSAVA committee members including the chairperson are volunteers. However, reasonable expenses incurred whilst carrying out WSAVA duties will be reimbursed, in accordance with our 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 11 September 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 Membership and Nomination Committee and the Executive Board. This letter indicates only that the WSAVA member association has no objection to the nomination.