Companion animal veterinary practice is experiencing rapid evolution driven by advances in technology, changes in client expectations, and shifts in global health and regulatory landscapes. These developments are reshaping how veterinary professionals deliver care, manage practices, and engage with pet owners.
As new diagnostic tools, treatments, and management strategies emerge, veterinary professionals face the dual challenge of staying abreast of these advancements while ensuring they align with ethical standards and best practices. A professional membership association like WSAVA plays a crucial role in supporting its community by monitoring these dynamic trends. By routinely assessing and prioritizing emerging clinical and non-clinical trends, WSAVA can effectively equip its members with timely resources, education, and advocacy efforts. This proactive approach not only enhances veterinary care standards globally but also strengthens the profession’s ability to adapt and thrive in an increasingly complex landscape of companion animal healthcare.
The Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) is established to gather data to monitor and assess key trends in companion animal veterinary practice globally. It will prioritize trends that have the potential for significant impact on veterinary medicine and recommend strategic actions for WSAVA to address these trends effectively.
Description of the committee’s work and goal
- Capture data to monitor and analyze global trends in companion animal veterinary practice, including both clinical and non-clinical aspects.
- Evaluate the potential impact of identified trends on veterinary professionals, practices, the profession, and companion animal health globally.
- Prioritize trends based on their potential to influence the advancement of companion animal veterinary practice globally and the advancement of WSAVA’s mission.
- Recommend actionable priorities to the WSAVA Executive Board for the development of content, support, education, and resources that address the identified trends.
- Work with the Secretariat to ensure all specialist committees and project groups have clear direction and that appropriate work plans are in place in line with their terms of reference and that advance the WSAVA mission and strategic plan.
- The SAC shall report directly to the WSAVA Executive Board on a regular basis, providing updates on identified trends, recommended priorities, and proposed actions. The WSAVA Executive Board meets twice a year in person, around February/March and September, for the purposes of reviewing the association’s strategic plan. The SAC will be expected to provide a report for review at these meetings.
Detailed description of the desired candidates
The committee shall consist of members representing diverse backgrounds and expertise, including but not limited to:
- We’re looking for candidates solely from the Asia region.
- Professionals with expertise in strategic planning skills with the ability to develop long-term plans, analyze data and trends, and make informed strategic recommendations and set priorities based on these trends. Experience in senior leadership role is desirable.
- Specialists in core branches of companion animal veterinary medicine (e.g., internal medicine, surgery, diagnostics, etc.).
- Professionals with expertise in non-clinical aspects of veterinary practice (e.g., practice management, veterinary economics, one health, etc.).
- Representatives with experience in digital health, telemedicine, and technology innovations relevant to veterinary practice.
- Experts in veterinary education and professional development.
- Advocates for animal welfare and ethical standards in veterinary care.
Consideration of geographical representation will be given when appointing committee members.
List of responsibilities from committee members
- The official language of the WSAVA is English.
- Meeting Attendance and Participation: Attend scheduled meetings (virtual or in-person) and actively contribute to discussions.
- Timely Communication: Respond to requests for input and feedback in a timely manner, ensuring smooth communication.
- Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other group members.
- Local Expertise: Provide accurate and relevant advice based on local knowledge and experience in veterinary education, event organization, and industry partnerships.
- All WSAVA committee and project group members agree to abide by the policies and processes set out within the WSAVA Policy and Process Manual.
- All discussions, documents, and materials shared within the group must be treated as confidential unless otherwise indicated by WSAVA.
Remuneration for this role
All WSAVA committee members including the chairperson are volunteers. However, reasonable expenses occurred whilst carrying out WSAVA duties will be reimbursed, in accordance with our travel and expenses policy.
Time commitment
The tenure of a committee member is a maximum of three years with one extension possible.
The committee will meet monthly for at least one hour via video call. All committee members are expected to attend and actively contribute to committee meetings, whether online or in-person, and respond to offline communication in a timely manner. If in person meetings are required, the preferred venue for these will be the location of the Executive Board’s annual in-person meetings, so to facilitate in person discussion of the SAC’s report and recommendations (see other section where report requirements are highlighted).
In the committee’s inaugural year, it is likely committee members may need to provide more time than other years, to establish relationships, define ways of working, and allocate roles and responsibilities. On average, committee members should expect to provide no more than five hours of time a month.
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 10 July 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.