The Veterinary Innovation Council has announced the launch of new resources to address the nationwide problem of access to veterinary care and new comprehensive services to help veterinarians reach underserved patients. Through its Access to Care Resource Hub, veterinary professionals will find the tools, knowledge and resources they need to offer greater access to veterinary care for a broader range of patients.
Approximately 17 million pets in underserved communities across the U.S. have never seen a veterinarian . . .” – Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO
Veterinary professionals are encouraged to explore the site, share their feedback, and contribute their insights and experiences to help grow this valuable community resource.
Source: PR Newswire, April 24, 2024. Link. The Access to Care Resource Hub was made possible by a generous grant from Mars Veterinary Health and Banfield Pet Hospital.
Commentary: Kudos to all involved in the development of these resources. For over four decades, our industry has chased underserved pet populations. Health care avoidance is possibly a societal condition of existence for pets and people. However, basic preventive health care, herd immunity <Link> and One Health topics have accelerated since Covid and now, as we assess HPAI risks, continue to reduce rabies incidence, worry about swine flu and FMD, offset vaccination hesitancy and improve parasite prevention rates.
The call to action? Animal health pros must remain assertive in talking with and educating their clients, their personal networks, social media and routinely engage local media resources to support basic prevention, including its importance to food production.