Chengdu Veterinary Training Brings Compassion to the Forefront of Every Treatment

7 November 2025

In the heart of Chengdu, in southwestern China, a group of dedicated veterinarians and students came together over four days to rethink what it means to care for animals.  They weren’t just there to refine their surgical skills; they came to learn how empathy, technique, and animal welfare can coexist in every interaction. 

From 17^th to 20^th October, five veterinary trainers, 16 hands-on participants, and nearly 400 veterinarians and students joined online and offline with the shared goal of advancing the development of China’s companion healthcare industry through cutting-edge international animal welfare knowledge and technical training. 

The event was the 29th ‘In Step with the World’ China Veterinarians Companion Animal Welfare and Technology Exchange Workshop, co-organised by ACTAsia and Veterinarians for Compassion (VFC) Australia, with recognition and support from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Over the four days the participants learnt how to make every animal’s experience in the clinic safer, more comfortable and more humane.

When Knowledge Meets Kindness

The training combined theory, surgical demonstration and hands-on practice, but what truly set it apart was the focus on empathy. For some, it was a chance to reconnect with the purpose that brought them into veterinary medicine in the first place. For others— recent graduates and students from Southwest Minzu University—it was their very first exposure to the idea that technical skill and animal welfare go hand in hand.

“Veterinary training isn’t just about medical skill,” said Qiao Wei, Director of the Sichuan Qiming Small Animal Protection Center. “It’s also about nurturing understanding—so veterinarians can become advocates for animal welfare in their communities.”

Voices from the Field

Among the participants was Tang Yuyao, a wildlife veterinarian from a local zoo. Returning to surgery after several years, she found herself both nervous and inspired.

“Dr. Ma came over after my operation and asked how I felt. His encouragement really stayed with me. I learned to think from the animal’s perspective—to minimise stress and fear.”

Wei Shuting, a licensed veterinarian, left with a renewed sense of purpose:

“Before, I focused only on getting the job done. Now, I understand that every movement, every decision, affects the animal’s experience. This training reminded me why I chose this path.”

And for Yang Xiaoying, the key takeaway was empathy:

“Animal welfare isn’t an abstract idea—it’s a daily practice. It’s about seeing through the animal’s eyes and treating them the way we’d want to be treated.”

Trainers Who Lead with Care 

The trainers, veterans of ACTAsia’s welfare programs, brought not just technical excellence but a contagious passion for teaching.

Dr. Yin Zhijuan noted how impressed she was by the participants’ enthusiasm:

“Our mission is to help veterinarians see every patient not just as a case, but as a sentient being deserving of comfort and respect.”

Dr. Duan Lei, who has been involved in ACTAsia’s veterinary programs since 2009, reflected on how far the profession has come—and how far it still needs to go:

“We’ve seen great progress in welfare awareness, but many clinics still skip pain control to cut costs. Our hope is to change that mindset—because anaesthesia and analgesia aren’t luxuries, they’re standards.”

Rethinking Routine

Many practitioners see sterilization as a simple, routine procedure. But as Wang Maoqing, Secretary-General of the Veterinary Division of the Sichuan Pet Association, reminded everyone: routine doesn’t have to mean thoughtless.

“We learned that a lateral surgical approach can actually be safer and more comfortable for animals than the traditional midline incision,” he shared. “It’s a small change that makes a big difference in welfare.”

From pain control to gentle tissue handling, every detail in the training reminded participants that even in the most common surgeries, compassion can—and should—be practiced.

Learning Beyond the Scalpel

During the practical sessions, trainees performed sterilizations under close supervision. 22 cats and dogs benefited from the surgeries—each one treated according to international welfare standards.

Dr. Ma Wenqiang described how the participants eagerly absorbed both knowledge and values:

“They didn’t just memorise procedures—they asked thoughtful, ethical questions. You could see their compassion growing with their confidence.”

For Dr. Meng Kai, the experience reaffirmed a simple truth:

“Sterilization might seem basic, but it’s actually the foundation of surgical mastery. If we can perform it with empathy and precision, we can perform any procedure with care.”

And Dr. Mu Yapeng summed up the spirit of the week:

“Veterinary medicine is a team effort. When we share our knowledge, we multiply our impact. Together, we can make welfare the norm, not the exception.”

A Step Toward a Kinder Future

Veterinarians play a vital role in protecting companion animals, maintaining public health, ensuring food and environmental safety and promoting welfare and owner education. As a WSAVA educational partner, ACTAsia, together with the Veterinarians for Compassion China team, continue to empower veterinarians through compassionate professional education. They are helping to build a new generation of veterinarians—professionals who see beyond treatment to empathy, and beyond surgery to welfare.

We thank all our partners for their participation and support. ACTAsia will keep working with the veterinary community to improve clinical and surgical skills, promote welfare-based practices and explore community solutions for stray animal management—toward a harmonious ‘One Health’ society for animals, people and the environment.

Organisers: ACTAsia | Veterinary Division, Sichuan Pet Association | Sichuan Qiming Small Animal Protection Center
Co-organiser: Southwest Minzu University
Supporting Partner: Olsen Animal Trust

If you have been inspired by ACTAsia’s work and want to learn more about the benefits of Caring for Life education, then please do get in touch. Equally please consider donating to ACTAsia to help further our global reach. 

Your contribution directly fuels our efforts, ensuring that the message of sustainable living and education reaches even further. Every donation counts, no matter the size. Help us further our cause and ensure a kinder future for animals, people and the environment.