While this article focuses on swine production, the lessons are applicable to any animal health facility and its personnel. Clayton Johnson, DVM, says the role of the veterinarian is “all-encompassing” when it comes to biosecurity. He compares biosecurity to insurance.
Source: PORK, August 21, 2020. Link. If you . . . observe something, and you don’t comment on it or take the opportunity to educate [the farm staff] of the risk that’s out there, you’re creating a situation where complacency can dominate,” Johnson warned.
Those behaviors will likely be repeated because the folks on the farm will say, ‘Well, Doc saw it and didn’t say anything, so it must be okay to do.’”
INSIGHTS: A colleague often commented that failure to act is an action and has consequences. She was right and Johnson would agree. As animal health pros, it is our job not only to notice, but also to speak up, coach and remind animal owners to be more cognizant of how they are handling biosecurity and animal stewardship.