New members for the WSAVA Professional Wellness Group (PWG)
The first ever study into global veterinary wellness conducted by the PWG in 2019 confirmed that the mental health of veterinary professionals is under threat in all parts of the world while the COVID-19 pandemic has, in many cases, only increased the pressures they face. With this in mind, we’re delighted that three new members have joined the PWG to help to accelerate its work to improve the health and well-being of all members of the veterinary team.
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Dr Veerle van Geenhoven is senior veterinarian at the for Clinical Veterinary Medicine at the Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich.
“Professional wellness means more than just our personal wellness within the profession, since it has a direct impact on the wellness of our patients.”
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Dr Elli Kalemtzaki is a veterinarian and Certified Professional Coach, based in Athens, Greece.
“Problems such as burnout, depression and anxiety account for a significant proportion of mental health issues in the veterinary profession. I firmly believe that all veterinarians should be able to work in a supportive, professional and caring environment, where they are valued and respected.”
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Dr Debbie Stoewen is a veterinarian, social worker and creator of an accredited veterinary continuing education program called ‘The Social Side of Practice’. She is based in Ontario, Canada.
“What an opportunity to positively touch the lives of others, human and animal. Professional wellness underlies all that is done in the profession – it supports the health and wellbeing not just of ourselves, but our patients and clients as well. Everyone wins with wellness so I am happy to contribute to the PWG.”
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Dr Nienke Endenburg
Co Chair of the Professional Wellness Group (PWG)
We are delighted to welcome our three new members who bring new skills and who join us a time when our work has never been more important. We are looking forward to moving quickly with the development of our Global Guidelines. We hope they will prove an important step towards positive change and enhancing the wellbeing of all veterinarians globally.
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“We could not do our work without the support we receive from WSAVA Gold Partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition. On behalf of the PWG, I would like to say a big thank you to Hill’s for its commitment to veterinary wellness and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).”
Read the full press release here.
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Find out more about the work of the WSAVA Professional Wellness Group on this link.