Teaching hearts and minds in the veterinary profession

The professional education programme was launched in 2009 by partners ACTAsia and VFC, to help veterinarians in China learn fundamental clinical veterinary skills, and promote animal welfare within the profession. International veterinary experts offer professional training to Chinese vets, including the use of anaesthesia in surgery, pain relief, rabies prevention, flank-spay methods for humane population control, aseptic practice, and general consideration of animal welfare and emotional well-being.

The programme enables veterinarians to become ambassadors for animal welfare in China, and through the Train the Trainer intiative to take their knowledge and understanding and share it through peer-to-peer training. Workshops have taken place in many cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanning, Yulin, and Qinghai. Around 1,300 Chinese veterinarians have taken part.

 

At the anniversary event, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and ACTAsia announced the launch of their educational partnership, while the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) announced the establishment of a dedicated fund to assist ACTAsia in further developing projects in China. ACTAsia also presented a series of Caring for Life Animal Welfare Awards in recognition of valued supporters who have made special contributions. Award-winners include: Special Contribution Award to Elaine Ong, founder of VFC; Social Responsibility Award to Naughty Family Animal Hospital; Rabies Free Practice Award to the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau of Guolo, Qinghai Province; and Charity Pioneer Award to SZCat and TA Shanghai.