Commentary
This should be an eye-opening read for any animal health professional. My doctors have never asked ANY questions about pets in the home, nor do I know anyone whose doctors have done so. This indicates that reaching the level of collaboration described in the new 2025 AAHA One Health guidelines will take a Herculean effort. EVERY animal health pro can help with cross-disciplinary education by sharing these new guidelines with their medical doctors and, at the very least, urge them to screen for and record pets (and all animals) as part of their medical records.
The guidelines offer five sections that rely upon expert consensus to offer strategies for communication and collaboration among professionals involved in the care and protection of families. They go beyond traditional zoonoses, diving into health and safety for pets in untoward environments, as well as pet owners whose pets threaten their own health and safety. HIPAA concerns are addressed in Section 3 and Section 4.
Source: AAHA Trends, August 27, 2025. Link. Link to the guidelines PDF. Link. Merging human and animal care has been modeled by the One Health Clinics developed by the University of California, Davis, and the University of Washington/Washington State University and is worth reviewing what might be possible.
In the daily practice of human and veterinary medicine, health care professionals recognize that interactions between people, animals, and the environment impact the health of their patients.”
INSIGHTS: For veterinarians involved in service groups, One Health in this family-centered context will make a good program. Be sure to include local media as well.